Here’s something we can do with no worries it will go wrong!

By Dean Collins

There are many possibilities for messing things up. And sometimes one mistake can cascade into a whole river of results we don’t want. But other difficulties come to us because of others’ mistakes. Even if you do the right things you can run into significant opposition.

It’s fairly common, when facing new challenges, to be at least a little frustrated or discouraged. Sometimes the last battle leaves us in a defensive posture when the next difficulty comes along. Maybe we think we are entitled and shouldn’t have to experience pain or difficulties. Seldom do we hear people express joy under trial. Yet according to James we should expect to experience various trials, and joy is the attitude that can best see us through them. His view of how to face difficulties is anything but typical: “Count it all joy . . . when you meet trials of various kinds.”

Steadfastness

But James does not suggest that our troubles lead us to faith. He knew what Paul taught, that we come to faith by hearing the good news of God. Some may discover the gospel as they read God’s Word, but most come to faith because someone cared enough to show and share the good news by their actions and with their words.
Trials do not produce faith, but for people of faith, trials produce steadfastness. Our faith in Jesus as Savior expands and deepens as we trust him as our North Star in every situation and especially as we endure opposition, suffering, and all kinds of challenges.

The effects of our deepening steadfastness is that we have everything we need for the challenges ahead. James says we will lack nothing. But James must have anticipated we would wince at this, because he quickly added that if we do lack wisdom, we should ask God for it. Why? Because God will never hold back but will pour out his wisdom abundantly. And here’s the kicker: When we admit we need God’s wisdom for approaching our day of challenges, God never looks down his nose with disappointment. He doesn’t criticize us or accuse us or expect that we should have figured this out by now. He is not discouraged by our lack of growth and need for help again. There is no judgment. God’s response to our request is a generous outpouring of wisdom for the moment and the situation.

Doubt

James does add a condition to our request: no doubting God when we ask. Doubt has side effects that weaken our faith and undermine our prayers. Consider Peter who was convinced Jesus was able to grant him the ability to walk on water and so he boldly stepped out of the boat. But then the doubt came rushing in. The challenge of the waves distracted him. As wind and water splashed on Peter’s face he started re-examining his situation. His doubt weakened his gaze on the source of strength and power directly in front of him, and suddenly, instead of divine power he felt uncertain and alone. When we fix our faith confidently on Jesus we can ask for wisdom and help and know God will always respond gracefully and sufficiently.

Blessing

The result of singleminded faith and trust in God is that God’s blessing follows our steadfastness; not only do we have what we need now, but we are assured of an eternal reward waiting for us inside Heaven’s gates.

In 2021 let’s make it early and often that we take this one action in the face of every challenge. What would happen if every believer started the day asking God for wisdom to handle whatever is ahead of them? What solutions might God provide if our dependence shifted from self to God? What resources would be supplied if we believed God was fully with us and for us? What attraction would appear for those who don’t know Jesus if they saw a joyful and wise church reaching out to those in need?

All of this is possible based on our willingness to simply ask God for his wisdom and believe he will never disappoint us. He is amply supplied and will generously give without reproach. The next step is ours. Let’s make it a step that is confident and full of unwavering faith.

Your time with God’s Word
‭‭James‬ ‭1:2-8, 12‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Photo by Hans-Peter Gauster on Unsplash