The Power of Wise Counsel: Letting Go & Leaning In

This morning, Exodus 18:20 practically jumped off the page at me:

"Teach them God’s decrees and instructions, and show them the way they are to live and how they are to behave."

Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, was offering him some much-needed wisdom, and I couldn’t help but see myself in this story.

Why Do I Resist Wise Counsel?

So often, I resist the wise counsel around me—not because it isn’t good advice, but because I get stuck in my own mind about how things should go. Can you relate?

In Exodus 18, Moses was exhausting himself by listening to the people's disputes all day long, from morning till evening. Jethro saw what was happening and stepped in:

"Listen to me, Moses. This is not good! You’re going to wear yourself out—and the people too. This job is too heavy a burden for you to handle all by yourself." (Exodus 18:17-18)

I know this feeling. The weight of trying to do everything myself. The belief that “if I don’t do it, it won’t get done right.” (And no, we’re not asking my husband to confirm how stubborn I can be!)

But then comes Jethro’s wise counsel:

"Now listen to me, and let me give you a word of advice, and may God be with you." (Exodus 18:19)

Hold up a second! God is trying to get through to me today.

I don’t have to do everything alone. When I open myself to wise counsel, I gain more access to God’s power in my life. That’s an amazing way to think about seeking advice—not as weakness, but as an invitation for God to work throughothers to bless me.

Life Coaching, Scripture & Letting Go

This verse made me think about life coaching. In verse 20, Jethro tells Moses:

"Teach them God’s decrees, and give them His instructions. Show them how to conduct their lives."

Isn’t that exactly what a good life coach does? They point people back to truth, offering encouragement and guidance. And guess what? Even as a life coach, I have my own coach who helps me see the areas where I struggle to let go.

And yes, I coach myself daily. But here’s the kicker—sometimes I’m wrong.

The Cost of Trying to Do It All

Recently, my family has been going through some significant changes. I have been burning the candle at both ends, convinced that I had to push through. The result? We all got sick—all five of us—completely run down by stress and exhaustion.

I didn't learn my lesson sooner, and I suffered for it.

Because I kept fighting for my way of doing things.

Then, my coach asked me a simple yet powerful question that changed everything:

"What does possibility have to share with you today?"

I sat with this. It forced me to step outside of my rigid way of thinking and opened me to another path, another perspective.

Instead of being closed off, this question invited me to breathe in the beauty of new possibilities.

I had a clear visual—of me clenching tightly onto my way, while freedom waited for me to let go.

So, I’ll Ask You…

Where in your life are you trying to do it all alone?

Where are you resisting wise counsel, even though it could lighten your load?

What would it look like to open yourself to new possibilities—to allow someone else to step in and share the burden?

God places wise counsel in our lives for a reason. Maybe it’s time we listen, let go, and lean into the freedom that comes from doing life together.

💛 I’d love to hear your thoughts—what does possibility have to share with you today? Drop a comment below!