3 Ways to Grow in Wisdom through Trials

Finding Wisdom in Trials

Wisdom is an essential trait that we need to succeed in business, and we all want to grow in it, however, there is an uncomfortable truth about growing in wisdom. It is a method of rapid growth that we would often choose to avoid. Wisdom is found in persevering through difficult seasons. I have often prayed to grow in wisdom but not for trials. The Bible has taught me to view challenges as a way of growing:

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

James 1:2-5 NIV

These “many kinds” of trials are prime learning opportunities, to persevere, we will need wisdom. Think of it in simple terms: Every time your car breaks down and you have to learn how to fix it you become wiser about cars. The same is true in business.

“To become wise is to become a disciplined person, given not to impulsiveness but to self-examination, to circumspection, and to clear thinking. It is to become a resilient person who through hard knocks has become poised and resourceful. As an athlete becomes physically competent only after rigorous training, so wisdom is hard won.”

Timothy KellerTweet

Perspective in Perseverance

When we go through difficult experiences it can be hard to see the good. Most of us look at the challenges and quickly feel overwhelmed. However, a trial produces a unique environment to grow in wisdom that is difficult to replicate without a challenge facing us. These are some ways that trials put us in the growth zone when it comes to wisdom.

• Trials focus our prayer and attention. When we experience trials it often presents us with a need to overcome or fix a problem. The solutions to these become clearer as we focus on God’s perspective of the issue. Fresh, creative insights that we may not have considered before are found in the place of prayer. These moments also require fresh energy to persevere and search for a new way of doing things.
• They put a greater demand on asking better questions. There is a phrase “If you always do what you always did, you will always get what you always got.”  This is great news if everything has been going well, you are profitable and have no problems in your business. Congratulations! However, I have found that business has a habit of changing the game frequently. This means we must adapt, change, and grow. Asking better questions has been the catalyst to deal with new and unique problems.  We can sometimes get into a rut in our thinking.  New approaches come from new questions.
• Stimulates our need for mentors or counselors. “If you want to go fast go alone, if you want to go far go together.” (African Proverb.) I find that very often the wisdom I need is found in the people God has put around me.  When things are going well and the demand for wisdom is not pressed upon me, I find myself having fewer conversations about finding solutions. But, when the pressure is on and I need help from beyond my capacities, God has faithfully given my wife the words I need to hear or my mentor the insight I need to learn from.

As the crisis passes, we find that our maturity has grown. Instead of feeling the lack of whatever we were afraid of losing, we feel the joy of finding God’s help.