Have you ever had a conversation with someone who thought they “knew it all?” Perhaps you even referred to that person as a “know it all.”

Truth of the matter is. . .when we think we know it all. . .we haven’t even begun to tap into the wisdom and knowledge that’s available to us.

The scientist and science fiction writer, Isaac Asimov once said:

“People who think they know everything are a great annoyance to those of us who do.”

Now that’s funny.

Have there been times in your life. . .when you totally realized you didn’t “know it all?” In fact, you didn’t even know what to do next.

Wisdom is understanding what you didn’t even know you didn’t know.

Here are seven things to do when you don’t know what to do.

1.      Recognize you don’t have to know it all.

You don’t have to know much to know you don’t know it all.

A know-it-all type . . .may think, act and talk like they do. More often than not, know-it-alls don’t have a clue where they’re going or what they’re going to do when they get there. They’re usually so insecure they have to put on a front to hide it from folks.

1 Samuel 2:3 in the Amplified Bible says:

“Talk no more so very proudly; let not arrogance go forth from your mouth, for the Lord is a God of knowledge, and by Him actions are weighed.”

It’s interesting that we recently had a conversation with a dear friend about someone who was proud. . .not of what they had accomplished but what his/her Dad had done.

The person with the pride issue was belittling others not because of what they had written or done. . .but they felt the family connection gave them credibility.

But the saddest thing is this person began putting down others. . .for only one reason I could discern . . . to make themselves look better. Unfortunately, many people feel the only way they can compete is at the expense of others credibility or reputation. That’s just wrong on so many levels.

Make no mistake. . .God does not judge by outward appearances, accusations or braggadocio.

1 Samuel 16:7 in the Amplified Bible says:

“But the Lord said to Samuel, Look not on his appearance or at the height of his stature, for I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees; for man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”

Man sees the physical appearance and hears the words coming out of our mouths. BUT GOD looks into the heart of a man.

1 Corinthians 8:2 in The Living Bible says:

“If anyone thinks he knows all the answers, he is just showing his ignorance.”

The great news is. . .we don’t know it all. . .but our Heavenly Father does.

2.      Recognize that God does know it all.

I will confess to you that I don’t know everything. . .but I have an intimate relationship with someone who does. . .my wife. That’s a joke.

I will, however, point out that my fine wife has an amazing knowledge of what to do and not do. She is a very spiritually balanced person . . .but even she does not know or pretend to know it all.

But she and I know someone up close and personal. . .who does literally know it all. Our great God Jehovah.

Our prayer for you is Ephesians 1:18-19 in the Message Bible:

“I ask—ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory—to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for his followers, oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him—endless energy, boundless strength!”

Discern the times. . .ask your Heavenly Father to give you His direction. He will never lead you down the wrong path.

Proverbs 3:5-6 in the Message Bible says:

“Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he's the one who will keep you on track.”

If you’re in the midst of a storm or financial firefight and you don’t know what to do next “. . . don’t try to figure it out on your own. . .”

If you’re trying to figure things out. . .to solve your problems by yourself. . .then you don’t need God.

Simply said, only one of you will be working on and through the problem, situation or attack . . . that’s either you or Him.

As the verse says, you must “. . .listen for God’s voice in everything you do. . .”

The reason you listen for His voice . . . is because He’s the one who will as the scripture says: “. . .keep you on track.”

3.      When you ask. . even when you don’t know what to do. . .God will give you the answer.

Isaiah 48:17 in the Message Bible says:

“I am God, your God, who teaches you how to live right and well. I show you what to do, where to go.”

When you ask for His direction . . . you’ll never go wrong.

Proverbs 3:5-6 in the Message Bible is a scripture we need to be reminded of frequently…so let’s quote it again:

“Trust in the Lordwith all your heart. Do not depend on your own understanding. In all your ways obey him. Then he will make your paths smooth and straight.”

God will even advise you on what to do with investments.

Ecclesiastes 11:2 in the New Readers International Version says:

“But divide your investments among many places, for you do not know what risks might lie ahead.”

It’s foolish to make a financial or any other kind of decision without asking for His help. He gives us good advice in Proverbs 18:13 in The Living Bible:

“What a shame—Yes, how stupid to make a decision before knowing the facts.”

If you need financial advice and direction . . .go to the right source. . .the One who’s never wrong and is always ready to help you out.

Jeremiah 33:3 in the New International Version says:

‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’

Ask His opinion today . . .He’s waiting for your call. But you need to be willing to wait for His answers if you really want to know what to do.

4.      Recognize your need to be in His Word.

Here’s an absolute fact. . .you will never really prosper unless you’re reading the Word. Without your even realizing, God is making you wise just by reading His Word.

It tells you why in Hebrews 4:12 this in the New International Version:

“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”

Did you realize that Read. . .is the first four letters of ready.

When we read His Word. . .we’re ready to understand we’re a Child of God and a Joint Heir with Christ.

When we read His Word. . .we’re ready to understand why we need to be born-again.

When we read His Word. . .we’re ready to know that God wants us to prosper and be in health just as our soul prospers as 3 John verse 2 says.

When we read His Word. . .we’re ready to understand that God not only forgives our past sins. . .He forgets them as well.

When we read His Word. . .we’re ready to experience the good life God designed for us.

When we read His Word. . .we’re ready to defeat every attack of the enemy because God says He would not have us ignorant about the wiles of evil in 2 Corinthians 2:11.

When you read His Word. . .you’re showing God you are ready to fulfill His plan for your life.

God’s Word contains the answers to every question you’ll ever have …plus it gives you necessary instructions for living a life worth living here on planet earth.

It’s our Owner’s Manual and it explains in great detail how to act and react to every problem that could possibly come our way.

Let me quickly point out that the enemy will do what he can to distract you from reading God’s Word.

The devil is the author of illiteracy He does not want people reading the Bible because his success depends upon our ignorance.

Every time you say you don’t like to read… the sound you hear is the devil clapping for you.

Reading was so important to Jesus that He was continually asking people if they had not read the Word.

Matthew 22:31 says:

“. . .have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God, saying.”

Mark 12:10 says:

“And have ye not read this scripture. . .”

Mark 12:26 says:

“. . .have ye not read in the book of Moses. . .”

When we read the Word we will know the success strategies the Lord instructs us to do.

Exodus 24:7 in the New International Version says:

“Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it to the people. They responded, "We will do everything the Lord has said; we will obey."

5.      Recognize that He will place the right people in your life.

If we’re obeying His instructions. . .following His directions. . .then God will place us in the right place at the right time to meet the right people.

Everywhere we go. . .we need to expect to make new friends.

As we’ve taught for years. . .expectation always leads to manifestation.

Here’s a ten-step formula to developing new friendships. . .using the word “friendship” as an anagram.

F- RIENDLY at all times; always wear a smile, even when you don’t feel like it.

R- EGULARLY schedule plans and activities with family and friends.

I-   MPROVE your conversation and become a better listener.

E- XTEND your circle of friends by meeting at least one new person each week.

N- EVER spend quality time with negative people.

D- EVELOP self-control and discard wrong attitudes of temper, impatience, etc.

S- PEND more time discussing ideas than people and things.

H- APPY thoughts purposed in every situation you face. Remember, the greater the challenge, the sweeter the victory.

I- NVEST more of your time doing things for others.

P- LAN your involvement in church, civic, and social activities.

Make a determined effort to get around those who can exhort, encourage, edify, build you up and lift you up.

Where do you find these friends?

First, you will find friends. . .wherever God directs you to go.

Second, it could be in church; through social media; on the job or in the marketplace; civic or school organizations; home-based businesses or network or professional or networking organizations.

Hebrews 10:24-25 in the English Standard Version says:

“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”

6.      Recognize the need for order in your life.

Write this down. . .Order is preparation for a miracle.

One of my favorite stories in the Bible is found Matthew 14:14-20 which says:

14 “And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.

Jesus brought order to the healing line. . .He healed all of them.  

15 “And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals.”

His disciples must have had a temporary lapse because they forgot who they were talking to. . .and what He had just done. They only saw chaos.

16 “But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat.”

Jesus saw things not as they appeared to be. . .but as He knew they could and would be.

17 “And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes.”

The disciples were still thinking in the terms of the worst case scenario.

18 “He said, Bring them hither to me.”

Next, it’s important to understand what Jesus did in Matthew 14:19:

“Then he ordered the people to sit down on the grass. After he took the five loaves and the two fish, he looked up to heaven and blessed the food. He broke the loaves apart, gave them to the disciples, and they gave them to the people.”

In the version in Luke Chapter 9, it states Jesus made them to sit down in companies of 50.

20 “And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.”

Jesus brought order to the situation. . .and that’s what you need to do.

If you’re in financial trouble right now. . .you need to bring order to your situation.

Have you ever seen a movie, TV program or experience in real life. . .a situation where someone loses their job. . .and their house becomes a wreck. . .looks like it was hit by an internal tsunami. That’s the worst thing a person can do.

When dealing with a perceived problem. . .don’t panic. . .bring order into the environment. Order gets the thought processes back working and allows us to view possible solutions to whatever problem we may be facing.

Order cannot come out of chaos. Discipline determines your direction. Actually, godly discipline determines right direction.

7.      Recognize the need to change what you’ve been thinking and doing

You might want to write this down.

Changing where I am. . .requires me to change what I’m thinking.

What’s the best way to change your thinking?

Romans 12:2 in the New Living Translation says:

“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you which is good and pleasing and perfect.”

Isaiah 26:3 also in the New Living Translation says:

“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!”

When our thoughts are fixed on the Lord. . .seeking His wisdom and understanding. . .things begin to change.

Proverbs 4:5 says:

“Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.”

“Get wisdom” doesn’t sound like a suggestion. . .rather, it’s a command.

Not only does your Heavenly Father want you to get wisdom. . .He does not want you to forget it.

The best way to “forget it not” is by reading and confessing what you’ve read. . .over and over. . .until it’s engrafted within you.

The New Living Translation says when you “get wisdom” you “develop good judgment.”

The Contemporary English Version concludes the verse with these words “…and do what I say.”

Look at the last four words of the Contemporary English Version of Proverbs 4:5 which says:

“Be wise and learn good sense; remember my teachings and do what I say.”

“Do what I say.”

Getting wisdom is a process. . .a continual process. . .and it involves confessing the wisdom you get.

The Bible is also very clear what happens as a result of your commitment to get wisdom. You get a future with a reward.

Proverbs 24:14 in the Amplified Bible says:

“So shall you know skillful and godly Wisdom to be thus to your life; if you find it, then shall there be a future and a reward, and your hope and expectation shall not be cut off.”

If you have wisdom. . .you can get wealth but without wisdom you will never get nor keep wealth.

Wealth should never be your greatest strength . . .the source of your ultimate protection.

Wealth and wisdom are your defense so you will not have to live unimportant, unrecognized, unprotected, unappreciated, unwilling, unfruitful and unproductive lives.

One last scripture. . .2 Timothy 2:25 in the New Living Translation says:

“Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth.”

God can and will change hearts. . .but we must first be willing.

Just remember this. . .when you don’t know what to do. . .He always does and He’s available to talk 24/7.

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