“Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore, get wisdom: and with all thy getting, get understanding.” — Proverbs 4:7
There is a crisis in our nation, and it is not just economic, political, or cultural—it is a crisis of wisdom. We stand at a crossroads, desperately in need of guidance, yet too many of us reject wisdom in favor of emotion, self-interest, and fleeting ideologies. We legislate without foresight, lead without humility, and live without discernment. We are a nation blessed with remarkable resources, but without wisdom, even the greatest blessings can become a curse.
The Bible teaches that wisdom is the foundation of success—both for individuals and for nations. As I begin this year with God emphasizing the word ‘flourish,’ I recognize that wisdom is essential for a flourishing economy, stable leadership, strong families, and personal fulfillment. When we neglect wisdom, we invite chaos, division, and destruction. Today, as we observe our nation in turmoil, our greatest crisis is not one of policy or prosperity, but rather one of wisdom.
Why Is Wisdom the Key to National Prosperity?
The Bible states in Proverbs 29:2,
“When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when the wicked rule, the people groan.”
America is groaning. Our economy is fragile, our values are being challenged, our children are lost in confusion, and our leaders seem more focused on political survival than on moral integrity. Our divisions run so deep that even basic truths are no longer recognized as such. Why? Because we have turned away from wisdom.
A nation without wisdom is like a ship without a captain—adrift in every wind, vulnerable to every storm, its crew running in circles, yelling and screaming at each other. Throughout history, the decline of great civilizations has not arisen from a lack of wealth or military might, but from their abandonment of wisdom.
Rome did not fall due to an external enemy; rather, it succumbed to corruption and poor leadership that eroded it from within.
The powerful kingdoms of the past crumbled when they turned away from God and relied on their own understanding.
Even Israel, God’s chosen nation, was repeatedly destroyed when its leaders and people abandoned wisdom in favor of rebellion.
And now, America finds itself at a crossroads. Will we become a nation that seeks wisdom and thrives, or one that forsakes wisdom and descends into ruin? This is a crucial question. Some believe their political party has the answer, but as believers, we must recognize that it is those who choose Godly wisdom and Godly leaders to apply that wisdom. Unfortunately, if you are not firmly grounded in understanding what God’s wisdom is, how it manifests, and how it operates, you may fail to identify Godly leaders when they come forward.
How Is Wisdom the Key to Personal Success and Blessing?
Wisdom is the foundation on which nations should build for success. It's also the foundation on which you should build for personal success, happiness, and fulfillment.
The world chases money, power, status, and comfort, thinking these things bring success. Yet how many rich, powerful, and famous people have we watched destroy their own lives? Money without wisdom leads to financial ruin, and power without wisdom leads to corruption and downfall. Proverbs 3:13-14 states,
“Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding, for she is more valuable than silver and brings greater returns than gold.”
I have a spiritual son, a former NBA player, who began reading Proverbs as I suggested right as he was entering the NBA, a fifth-round draft pick from the University of Kansas. Rock Chalk Jayhawk indeed! A few weeks into his reading, he called me one day and said, “OK, I have a question.” I was thrilled, just like any proud mama would be. “Who’s the girl?” “Excuse me?” I replied. “Who’s the girl, the woman?! For about five chapters, God keeps talking about a woman who’s more precious than money, and she’s the one you’ve gotta have?! So, who is she?” When I realized that the woman he referred to was ‘wisdom,’ I smiled the biggest smile. “Ohhhh. Yes, her name is wisdom, and she is quite a hot commodity!
Wisdom is the real currency of life. It decides whether you walk in victory or defeat, in joy or regret, in prosperity or ruin.
-A wise businessman makes decisions that sustain his success.
-A wise couple builds a marriage that endures for a lifetime.
-A wise parent raises children who flourish in character and faith.
-A wise leader creates a legacy of stability and integrity.
Foolishness leads to destruction, while wisdom leads to peace, joy, and blessings. Do you pray every day for God to grant you wisdom? I do. As I write this, I realize I need to ask Him twice a day!
America’s Greatest Need Is Leaders with Wisdom
America doesn't need more politicians, celebrities, or self-proclaimed intellectuals. It needs wise leaders who fear God, seek understanding, think beyond the next election cycle, and consider the next generation. The Bible states in Proverbs 11:14,
“Where there is no guidance, a people fall, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.”
Consider the landscape of our leadership today. Are we guided by wise men and women, or are we ruled by those who seek only power, manipulate the truth, and make decisions based on polls rather than principles? Do we, as a nation, reject truth, even the inconvenient kind that uncovers facts we would prefer to keep hidden? Sin thrives in shadows and secrecy. Truth resides in total transparency, which requires us to possess wisdom now more than ever.
A wise nation selects leaders who recognize that justice should be rooted in truth rather than political expediency (Proverbs 21:15) and that a strong economy is established through hard work instead of handouts (Proverbs 10:4). We must raise children with guidance and discipline, not confusion and indulgence (Proverbs 22:6), remembering that a nation that honors God will prosper, but a nation that forsakes Him will fall (Psalm 33:12).
America must return to wisdom in its leadership, in its laws, in its homes, and in its culture. Otherwise, we will reap the consequences of foolishness.
How Do We Restore Wisdom?
1. Fear the Lord Again.
Proverbs 9:10 states, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” When we exclude God from our government, schools, and culture, we eliminate wisdom itself. America must return to God before it is too late.
2. Elect Wise Leaders.
We must stop choosing leaders based on charisma, party affiliation, or empty promises and demand wisdom, character, and conviction. Many people voted for our current president, and I, for one, expect him to use wisdom, show character, and do what he promised. His loyalty must be to ‘we the people’, not to himself.
3. Commit to Personal Wisdom.
Wisdom is not only for our nation; it is for you as well. Seek wisdom in your finances, your relationships, your work, and your decisions. Choose to be a wise steward of your life, and you will walk in blessing.
4. Train the Next Generation in Wisdom.
Proverbs 22:6 instructs, “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” We must teach our children to think critically, seek truth, honor God, and reject foolishness. If we fail in this, not only will the next generation inherit a broken world, but they will destroy it for themselves.
Wisdom Is the Key to Victory
America is in trouble. Yet, there is a path forward, and that path is wisdom. If we pursue wisdom, live by it, and elect wise leaders, our nation will not only survive but also thrive. If we forsake wisdom, we will crumble under the weight of our own foolishness.
The choice is ours.
Will we seek God’s wisdom—the only path to success and peace? Or will we continue down the path of the fool, pursuing fleeting passions and destructive ideologies? As for me, I choose wisdom. I choose wisdom for my family, for my nation, and for my future. And…We must pray that America awakens to Godly wisdom before it is too late.
“Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.” - Psalm 33:12
Now is the time. Seek wisdom. Live by it and live in peace. Run from it and end in despair. I believe in the Body of Christ to change the world, just as Jesus believed in us and gave us His Spirit to bring His truth to the World. Wisdom is calling. If you believe she is America’s greatest need, share this message. Use your voice. Demand wise leadership. Be bold about the truth that sets people’s minds free.
Lastly, choose wisdom in your life. Look to the Word of God as the ultimate authority on everything you think and do. My goal in writing to you regularly is to awaken you and help you realize that we hold the key to opening the doors that those who are lost need opened. The future of our nation depends on it.
Photo Credit: ©GettyImages/Muni Yogeshwaran
Cynthia Garrett broke barriers when she became the first African American woman in the U.S. to host a network late-night show, NBC’s Later with Cynthia Garrett. She is currently seen on TBN and Salem Media networks, as well as on Fox News and other news outlets, addressing cultural issues and today’s news. The Cynthia Garrett Podcasts premiere weekly on all major podcast platforms.
A highly sought-after speaker, author, TV host, and ordained minister, Garrett is the author of The Naked Truth: Reclaiming Sexual Freedom in a Culture of Lies (2024), I Choose Victory: Moving from Victim to Victor (2020), and Prodigal Daughter: A Journey Home to Identity (2016). For more information, visit www.cynthiagarrett.org
