I was on a walk recently with a friend who casually pointed out a cluster of poison oak and warned me to steer clear. I have never suffered from an encounter with poison oak. As a result, I don’t recognize it, don’t respect it as I should, and have an unhealthy belief that I am immune to its severe adverse effects. (About 15% of the population is.) Therefore, I do not take the necessary precautions I should when I venture out into areas where poison oak grows because I don’t think I am going to get it.
However, those who have suffered from poison oak definitely know what it looks like and either steer clear or take steps to avoid contact (long sleeves and pants) because they know the pain and discomfort that accompanies a bout of poison oak.
Unfortunately, many times this attitude of blissful ignorance seeps into other areas of our life as well. Because we have not encountered any negative effects from living in close proximity to dangerous or sinful situations, we often feel we are immune to the potential adverse effects, so feel we can cozy up to them with impunity. Possible? Yes. Probable? No.
So what should we do? Proverbs 12:15 says, “Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to others” (NLT).
So perhaps, best time to listen to the voices of experience is when we don’t think we need it.
However, those who have suffered from poison oak definitely know what it looks like and either steer clear or take steps to avoid contact (long sleeves and pants) because they know the pain and discomfort that accompanies a bout of poison oak.
Unfortunately, many times this attitude of blissful ignorance seeps into other areas of our life as well. Because we have not encountered any negative effects from living in close proximity to dangerous or sinful situations, we often feel we are immune to the potential adverse effects, so feel we can cozy up to them with impunity. Possible? Yes. Probable? No.
So what should we do? Proverbs 12:15 says, “Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to others” (NLT).
So perhaps, best time to listen to the voices of experience is when we don’t think we need it.
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