EP 170: Walking in Wisdom: Living Wisely in a Distracting World

Inside: Walking in wisdom isn’t about perfection—it’s about faithfulness. It’s about making intentional choices, honoring the Lord in our daily lives, and staying focused on what truly matters.

Walking Wisely in a Distracting World

Have you ever found yourself feeling overwhelmed by the noise and busyness of life? There are always things vying for our attention—some good, like our families and responsibilities, and some not so good, like the pull of social media or the pressure to keep up. In the middle of it all, how do we stay focused on what truly matters? How do we walk in wisdom in a world full of distractions?

In this post, we’re going to look at what biblical wisdom is, how it differs from worldly wisdom, and how we can live it out in our daily lives. This isn’t just about knowing what’s right; it’s about choosing to live in a way that honors God in every moment.

Listen to EP 170: Walking in Wisdom: Living Wisely in a Distracting World (20 minutes) or read the post below (7 minutes):

Resources Mentioned:

How Can I Feel Productive as a Mom by Esther Engelsma 

What Is Biblical Wisdom?

We hear the word wisdom often. People talk about making wise investments, wise choices, or gaining wisdom through experience. But biblical wisdom is more than just knowledge—it’s about living in a way that honors God.

The world often equates wisdom with intelligence, success, or having good judgment. But biblical wisdom is something much deeper. Proverbs 9:10 gives us the foundation:

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”

To fear the Lord doesn’t mean living in terror of Him, but rather having a deep reverence and trust in His authority. It means acknowledging His sovereignty, submitting to His will, and making choices that honor Him. True wisdom flows not from our own intellect, but from a heart that trusts and obeys God.

For years, I measured my days by what I accomplished. If the house was clean, the meals were made, and my to-do list was checked off, I felt productive. But if I didn’t complete everything, I felt like I had failed in some way. Then I came across a booklet by Esther Engelsma, How Can I Feel Productive as a Mom?, and her words made me pause:

“God’s call to you is not to get things done but to use time well. God’s will for you is not to get things done but to grow in sanctification. God’s purpose in creating you is not to get things done but to glorify Him.”

That truth reshaped how I saw my daily tasks. My worth wasn’t found in how much I accomplished but in how I walked with the Lord. The goal isn’t just to finish everything on our list—it’s to honor the Lord in the midst of it.

Biblical wisdom shapes our decisions, our attitudes, and our daily habits. It calls us to step away from the world’s definition of success and instead seek faithfulness over productivity.

The Difference Between Worldly Wisdom and Godly Wisdom

The book of James paints a clear picture of the contrast between worldly wisdom and godly wisdom.

James 3:17 says:

“The wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.”

Worldly wisdom tells us to follow our hearts, trust in ourselves, and seek personal success. It often leads to selfish ambition, pride, and a focus on temporary gains. But godly wisdom calls us to something greater—to seek His will above our own, to be humble, peaceable, merciful, and sincere.

Are We Walking in Wisdom?

Taking time for self-reflection can help us evaluate whether we are truly walking in wisdom. Here are some questions to consider:

• Am I making decisions based on God’s truth, or am I relying on my own understanding?

• Am I seeking to please the Lord, or am I more concerned with what others think?

• Is my heart humble and teachable, or do I resist correction?

• Do my daily choices reflect a life of faithfulness to God, or am I just trying to be productive?

Walking in wisdom is a daily pursuit—continually seeking the Lord, asking for His guidance, and choosing obedience to His Word.

Living with an Eternal Perspective

One of the key ways we walk in wisdom is by keeping eternity in view.

Colossians 3:2 reminds us:

“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”

It’s easy to get caught up in the demands of today—the responsibilities, schedules, and never-ending to-do lists. But when we step back and ask, “How does this moment fit into God’s bigger picture?”, it shifts our perspective.

Psalm 90:12 says:

“Teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

When we recognize that our time here is short, we start to live differently. Every conversation, task, and opportunity becomes a chance to honor the Lord.

The Weight of Our Words

Wisdom also shapes how we speak.

Proverbs 18:21 tells us:

“Death and life are in the power of the tongue.”

Our words hold power. They can either build up or tear down, encourage or discourage. Walking in wisdom means guarding our words, choosing to speak truth in love, and using our speech to reflect Christ’s kindness and grace.

Avoiding the Trap of Busyness

I know how easy it is to get caught up in just getting things done. Some days, my goal is simply to check off the to-do list, keep the house in order, and make it through the day. But wisdom calls us to pause, think, and live with purpose.

Before rushing through our tasks, let’s ask:

• Am I making choices today that align with God’s truth?

• Am I setting my heart and mind on eternity?

• Am I being intentional in how I use my time, my words, and my energy?

Wisdom isn’t about having every detail planned out or never making mistakes. It’s about seeking to walk carefully, thoughtfully, and prayerfully, keeping our eyes on the Lord.

Seeking Wisdom from God

One of the most comforting promises in Scripture is found in James 1:5:

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given to him.”

What a beautiful reminder! God invites us to come to Him when we lack wisdom. He isn’t waiting for us to figure things out alone—He delights in giving wisdom generously.

How can we seek wisdom from God daily?

• Through His Word – Psalm 119:105 says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” The more we are in Scripture, the more we align our thoughts with His truth.

• Through Prayer – Instead of relying on our own understanding, we can bring our decisions, struggles, and concerns before the Lord.

• Through Wise Counsel – Proverbs 11:14 says, “Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.” Seeking wisdom from godly friends, mentors, and pastors is a way God provides guidance.

Reflection Questions for Walking in Wisdom

To help us apply what we’ve learned, here are some reflection questions:

• Am I making decisions that align with God’s Word?

• How am I prioritizing my time—am I focused on what truly matters?

• Do I approach my daily work with joy, faithfulness, and a heart to glorify God?

• Am I using my words to build up or tear down?

• When faced with a challenge, do I first seek God’s wisdom in prayer?

• What’s one small change I can make this week to walk more intentionally in wisdom?

Final Encouragement

Friend, wisdom isn’t about perfection—it’s about faithfulness. It’s about living each day with eternity in mind, making choices that reflect our trust in the Lord, and using our time with purpose.

This is just the beginning of our conversation on wisdom. In the next two parts of this series, we’ll dive deeper into how wisdom shapes our daily lives and explore how we can redeem the time the Lord has given us. I’d love for you to join me—make sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss what’s coming next.

If today’s post has encouraged you, I’d love for you to share it with a friend who might need the reminder to walk in wisdom. And if you’d like to dig deeper, I have a special PDF resource for my Patreon supporters with reflection questions, Bible verses, and practical applications to help you apply what we’ve discussed today.

Remember—wisdom isn’t measured by productivity, but by faithfulness. May we continue to seek the Lord and trust Him to give us the wisdom we need for each step.