A Wise Life is a Beautiful Life

By me (wisdom) your days will be multiplied,
And years of life will be added to you.
If you are wise, you are wise for yourself,
And if you scoff, you will bear it alone

-Proverbs 9:11-12 (NKJV)

It's been said, "People cannot decide their future. But they can decided their habits, and their habits decide their future." So true. Although it's right to live right and that alone is a reward, there are also many, many benefits to making wise, right choices.

So let's take a moment to look at some of the just plain practical, personal benefits of wise living for us as women.

*Health.Wise living teaches us to be good stewards of our health. It is not wise to smoke or eats lots of junky food. It is wise to exercise and eat well. It is unhealthy to internalize anger and worry. It's healthy to live simply and forgive easily.

*Beauty. A wise life is a beautiful life. I know several godly, gracious, wise women over eighty, and I have to say, I think they're beautiful. Pastor Chuck Smith's wife, Kay, is one of them. She is peaceful and contented and joyful. Actually, she glows.

*Blessing. Lastly, Jesus said, "It is more blessed to give than to receive" (Acts 20:35, NKJV). Being selfish, living just to please ourselves, is a lonely and empty life - bottom line: foolish. Living to be a blessing doesn't always add more days to your life, but it sure does add more life to your days.


-Debby Bryson; The One Year Wisdom for Women Devotional; February 15

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