Week 1: Wisdom for Relationships & Family

The Foundation of Love

Read: Proverbs 3:1-6

SOAP***: Proverbs 3:3-6

"Do not let mercy and truth leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will find favor and good understanding, in the sight of God and people."

Into the Text

I know there are days when loving others well seems to effortlessly flow from our hearts. And yet, just as easily, there are days when it is the exact opposite. Days when our hearts and lives feel empty, and we find ourselves praying for the wisdom, patience, and love that we know we don’t have out of desperation instead of ease.

That’s why we must intentionally pray for God’s wisdom in our lives. Praying our lives are marked with His mercy and truth. Simply living our lives with good intentions is not enough; we need God’s wisdom directing our lives and helping us live in the power of the Holy Spirit with mercy and truth.

If we’re honest, I know many of us are doing our best—we’re showing up, doing what we can, and hoping things will work out in the end. But deep down, we feel the strain, the uncertainty, the exhaustion, the life being lived half empty, and we don’t have much more to give. Loving others well with God’s wisdom, mercy, and truth in this broken world is no small task.

And that’s why we need more than our effort. We need wisdom. God’s wisdom.

I love how, in Proverbs 3, we are reminded that in order to love well, we can’t rely on how we feel in the moment. Emotions shift. People disappoint. Our strength becomes weak and runs out.

But God’s wisdom? It is always available.

His mercy? Never ending.

His truth? Unchanging.

And the beauty of it all is, as we pray for God’s wisdom in our lives, His wisdom not only helps us make better decisions, it begins to transform who we are from the inside out.

When we slow down long enough to ask and become brave enough to listen, He will show us. His wisdom is not distant or reserved for a select few—it’s available for you, sweet friend. Right here. Right now.

***SOAP Method

S – SCRIPTURE
Physically write out the Bible verse
You’ll be amazed at what God will reveal to you when you slow down to write or meditate on what you are reading!

O – OBSERVATION
What do you see in the verses you’re reading?
Who is the audience? Is there a repetition of words? What words stand out to you? What is the main lesson or theme?

A – APPLICATION
When God’s Word becomes personal
What is God saying to me today? How can I apply what I just read to my life? Are there any changes I need to make?

P – PRAYER
Pray God’s Word back to Him
If He has revealed something to you during this time in His Word, pray about it. Confess if He has revealed some sin that is in your life. Take time to thank Him for His goodness in your life.