The Bible speaks of two kinds of wisdom—that which comes from above and that which is of this earth (James 3:15-17). There are some benefits in the hard-won wisdom that experience and pain has bought, but there are far greater and more lasting benefits when we learn and apply God’s wisdom before the pain.

Proverbs 4:7-9 tells us that when we embrace wisdom, we will have a crown of glory and honor. The trick is to embrace wisdom early in life.

King Solomon had the chance to embrace godly wisdom—but fell back on the seemingly easier worldly wisdom. Not only did it cause both Israel and himself continual pain, but Solomon additionally dug a hole so deep that he could not get out.

Embracing wisdom means recognizing and applying wisdom. Our emotions and feelings get in the way. They, too, are one of God’s gifts to the human race, but they are gifts that need to be controlled. That is character. And to know what to do and to be able to do it—that is wisdom.