Time-Tested Ways to Learn Life Lessons that Last

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Some say that when you learn life lessons the hard way, they leave a lasting impression.

I suppose that’s true.

There is something about lessons learned through pain that leaves life-changing scars.

Even as a child, I tried to avoid learning hard lessons and being someone who desperately wanted to avoid challenging consequences… I listened to advice, followed the rules, learned from others’ mistakes, and lived with control and caution.

But some people will always be thrill-seeking individuals who feel the need to test the rules, questioning whether they really apply to them.

Whether you’re a cautious rule follower or a thrill-seeking boundary pusher, some lessons can only be learned through experience.

Things like…

• No matter what you do, you can’t make everyone love you.
• Just because everyone is doing something doesn’t make it right.
• Even when everyone says something is true, it doesn’t make it so.
• No matter how deeply you’ve been hurt, it’s always important to forgive.
• Unkind words may not break bones, but they leave wounds.
• You are stronger and braver than you believe.

Having learned both by example and experience, I want to learn from the counsel of others whenever possible. So, I’ve made a list of things you and I can do to make wise choices and avoid life’s unpleasant consequences whenever we can.

The Best Advice for Learning Life Lessons

1. Pay Attention 

Although it may seem obvious, too many of us are simply going through the motions of life instead of truly embracing it. We are so focused on personal projects and problems that we fail to notice the countless things we could be learning from others. 

So, look around. Notice what’s going on in the lives of your family members, friends, neighbors, coworkers, on the news, etc. Always be ready to ask yourself, “What can I learn from this?” It may be something you can do as often as it is something NOT TO DO.

And remember—learn from your own mistakes. Why repeat painful consequences if you can avoid them?

Intelligent people are always ready to learn. Their ears are open for knowledge.

Proverbs 18:15

2. Search Scripture

The Bible is a storehouse of life-lesson advice. God’s truth is timeless, and His commands are intended to bless and protect us, not spoil our fun. Graciously, He gave many examples of people making mistakes.

My child, listen to what I say and treasure my commands. Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding. Cry out for insight, and ask for understanding. Search for them as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures.

Proverbs 2:1–4

3. Ask a Mentor and Be a Mentor

We can learn so much from each other; so, ask a trusted and wise advisor for counsel and direction. Expertise and degrees aren’t always necessary because experience is a powerful teacher.

That means you and I can take what we’ve learned and the ways God has worked in our lives and use them to encourage and inform friends and family. I am so very thankful for the countless people who generously mentored Rev and me.

Friends who helped us with…

• parenting advice.
• tips on nutrition and health.
• inspiration for our faith.
• wise financial counsel.
• and helpful homemaking tips.

The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense.

Proverbs 27:9

“Mentoring is: Sharing Life’s Experiences and God’s Faithfulness” ~Janet Thompson

4. Take Notes and Remember

I keep journals everywhere. I have journals for post ideas. Prayer journals. Blessing journals. I’m considering starting a Life Lessons Journal, where I pause to reflect on the day.

Asking…

• What did I  learn today?
• What might I have done differently?
• What went well?
• What didn’t?

I want to celebrate my successes, confess my failures, and know what needs to change.

Obey my commands, and you will live. Guard my teachings as you would your own eyes. Remind yourself of them; write them on your heart as if on a tablet.

Proverbs 7:2–3

5. Ask God for Wisdom

Pray for wisdom as often as necessary.

James wrote:

 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.

James 1:5

I love that you and I can ask God to help us pay attention, search for help, find a mentor, and take notes. His Word tells us to confess our failures and ask Him to help us learn life lessons. He wants us to know and trust that His way is best.

Solomon wrote…

Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek His will in all you do,
    and He will show you which path to take.

Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom.
Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
Then you will have healing for your body
and strength for your bones.

Proverbs 3:5–8

God loves us, and because He doesn’t want us to learn about life the hard way, He gave us His Word, full of truth, to help and guide us. He also gave us godly parents, mentors, and friends to encourage us from their own experiences.

Let’s pray…

A Prayer Asking God for Life Lesson Wisdom

Father God, thank you. You are the source of all truth and wisdom. You always have been, and always will be. Your Word tells us that Eve ate the forbidden fruit from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil because she wanted the wisdom Satan said it would give her. (Genesis 3:6)

And since that first sin, people have been looking for wisdom in all the wrong places. We will endure the pain of sin’s consequences until we learn Your will and apply it to every area of our lives.

Thank you for sending Jesus and for giving us a future filled with hope through Him. Thank you for Your Word and the Holy Spirit to teach us the way of wisdom. Thank you for giving us wise individuals to advise and counsel us.

You are so very gracious and good. Please fill me with Your peace as I humbly SEEK Your TRUTH and TRUST Your will. I give myself to You. Please guide me and help me learn life lessons that last. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Life this side of heaven will never be perfect.

We live in a fallen world, and there will be plenty of life lessons to learn, but with God’s help, we can avoid some of them.

Personally, I’d like to avoid as many as possible.

I believe His ways are intended to keep us safe and happy, and as far as I’m concerned, safe and happy is better.

So, I will do my best to trust God’s Word and faithfully pray for the Spirit’s help to TRUST and OBEY. Because by God’s grace and with His help, many life lessons can be learned without pain and suffering.

What do you think?

Where do you need the counsel of His wisdom to make better choices?

Remember … pay attention, search the Scriptures, ask a wise mentor or friend, take notes, and PRAY often. May the Lord bless you each day as you live life under His grace, mercy, and love.

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