A Heart That Seeks Wisdom

 A Heart That Seeks Wisdom 



Mark 3:1-6

Jesus went into the synagogue again and noticed a man with a deformed hand.

Since it was the Sabbath, Jesus’ enemies watched him closely. If he healed the man’s hand, they planned to accuse him of working on the Sabbath.

Jesus said to the man with the deformed hand, “Come and stand in front of everyone.”

Then he turned to his critics and asked, “Does the law permit good deeds on the Sabbath, or is it a day for doing evil? Is this a day to save life or to destroy it?” But they wouldn’t answer him.

He looked around at them angrily and was deeply saddened by their hard hearts. Then he said to the man, “Hold out your hand.” So the man held out his hand, and it was restored!

At once the Pharisees went away and met with the supporters of Herod to plot how to kill Jesus.

Mark 3:1-6


If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.

But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind.

James 1:5-6


A Heart That Seeks Wisdom

Mark 3:5 — The Danger of Hardness

Jesus looked at the Pharisees with anger and deep distress because their hearts were hardened. They cared more about rigid rules than about the healing of a suffering man. A hard heart refuses to believe, acts in pride, and lacks compassion. This passage warns us against letting tradition, stubbornness, or self-righteousness close our hearts to God’s mercy and the needs of others.

James 1:5 — The Promise of Wisdom

In contrast, James encourages us to ask God for wisdom when we face trials—times that can easily make us bitter or defensive. Unlike human wisdom, which can be selfish or short-sighted, God gives generously to all without finding fault. This wisdom is more than knowledge; it is the ability to see life from God’s perspective and to respond with His love, even in difficult situations.

The Heart: Righteous Anger and Compassion (Mark 3:5)

Jesus’ anger in the synagogue was not sinful—it was righteous. He was grieved by the stubborn hearts of those who valued rules over people. Then, moved by compassion, He healed the man’s withered hand.

Key Insight: It is possible—and sometimes necessary—to be angry at injustice or hardness of heart while still being motivated by love and compassion.

Devotional Thought: Jesus is not only concerned with the “withered” places in our lives; He is also looking at our hearts. He invites us to move from legalism to love and to choose to do good, even when it is uncomfortable or unpopular.

The Head: Seeking Divine Wisdom (James 1:5)

James writes to people under intense pressure and offers a simple, powerful solution: Ask God for wisdom. God does not scold us for not having all the answers. He delights in giving us the perspective we lack.

Key Insight: God is a generous giver. He will not rebuke you for admitting you don’t know what to do.

Devotional Thought: Wisdom is more than knowing facts—it is seeing your situation through God’s eyes. Instead of asking, “Why is this happening?” James encourages us to ask, “God, how do I walk through this with integrity and faith?”

The Connection: Wisdom for the Emotional Heart

Together, these verses form a blueprint for spiritual maturity:

• Acknowledge the emotion — Like Jesus in Mark 3, don’t ignore your distress or anger at stubborn situations.

• Admit the need — Like James 1, admit that your own understanding is not enough.

• Ask for the path — Request God’s wisdom to respond with compassion and healing rather than frustration.

Application

When you feel tempted to become hardened—by conflict, disappointment, or judgmental attitudes—ask God for His wisdom. A tender heart that seeks guidance is a heart that will receive it. Let the hardened approach of the Pharisees be replaced with a seeking approach that trusts God to guide your actions.

Now if you have PTSD you may see this all as a very difficult task to attempt. I know I struggle hard sometimes. For example I have a very hard time recovering from people hurting my feelings. Feelings are very overwhelming at times and being overly emotional makes it difficult to sort out things.  I tend to ignore the person for as long as I can, I dislike bringing it up to them so I seldom resolve these issues and I swallow my emotions, until at some point I no longer can maintain them with in me, then unfortunately I lose my mind and act a fool. None of this serves any real purpose other than to make me struggle. So little by little I am learning to take even the smallest problems to God, because I truly need his guidance in regulating emotions that often are just causing me to stumble. See Satan does know a lot about us, he can see our weakest points and he knows how to stir up trouble. 

The past few months he has been coming at us hard, health issues for both of us, financial strains, car issues, family issues, misunderstandings and miscommunication, have been our stumbling blocks.

Thankfully we serve a God who is stronger and wiser than all our problems combined.

Today I call on you Abba Father to calm my spirit, to ease my soul.  Help me to forgive and most of all to let go and move forward.

Thank you Triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit for guiding my life!


Lord, soften my heart to Your love and Your truth. When I am stressed or tempted to act with pride or stubbornness, I ask for the wisdom James speaks of—wisdom that is pure, peaceable, gentle, and full of mercy. Help me to trust You, not my own understanding. When I see hardness of heart in others or myself, help me not to sin in my anger but to respond with compassion and grace. I admit that I lack the wisdom to handle life’s trials on my own, and I ask for Your generous guidance today.

The Lord’s Prayer

Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be Thy name.

Thy kingdom come,

Thy will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

and forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For Thine is the kingdom,

and the power,

and the glory forever.

Amen.

BELIEVE

OBEY

BE BLESSED

AMEN

BOBBA


My The God of Love fill your heart today!

Love,

Penny

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