God looks down from heaven on the entire human race; he looks to see if anyone is truly wise, if anyone seeks God.
- Psalm 53:2 NLT

Being wise is about more than knowing the right answers or being educated well enough to win an argument. Wisdom transforms all those who take hold of it. Those who are truly wise intimately embrace the truth. They know when to hold fast to something and when to release it. They let go of bitterness, anger, pain, fear, jealousy, hatred, and the disappointments of the past. They recognize that clinging to these things means we sacrifice what we actually need to hold onto: God’s character, promises, faithfulness, love, forgiving power, and plans for our futures.

When we feel the need to prove ourselves after being let down, or when we try to make someone pay emotional or physical debts we feel they owe, we forfeit our ability to lay hold of what God has for us. We are trying to grasp our own promises instead of His. A wise person knows they can never win by bitterness or offense. They choose to let go and let God take control.

…As far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
- Rom. 12:18 NIV

In every relationship, your role is to do everything you can do to be at peace with others. Have you forgiven, released, blessed, reasoned, confronted, and prayed, only for conflict to persist? That is because you have no control over the outcome. Your job is to do what is within your power; if nothing changes, release the situation back to God.

When God asks us to do something, we definitely do it with His backing. But we can’t control other people. If you have been wrestling with such a situation, exchange frustration for release. When we release what is in our hands, God can release to us what is in His.

What are you choosing to hold onto for too long—or let go of too early? Ask God for His wisdom, and be sensitive to any exchanges that need to be made.