“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.” – James 1:2-8 (NIV)
James starts his letter writing to encourage the Church. I think it’s interesting that he begins addressing the trials that he knows many are facing, and my eyes don’t miss the fact that he doesn’t say “if”, but “when” in reference to us experiencing trials.
James isn’t saying that we should just be happy regardless of whatever it is we’re going through; he’s asking us to consider the opportunity that we have to grow in the midst of the trial. And right in the midst of it all is a God Who loves us and Who promises to never leave us or forsake us, and He is the One who can turn our mourning into joy. (ref. Psalm 30:11)
Whether you’re in the midst of a trial right now yourself or can still feel the sting of the most recent one you’ve walked through, or you’re journeying alongside someone who is in the throes of deep heartbreak, the trials of life certainly don’t seem to stop. Big or small, they absolutely test our faith. Tough times can teach us perseverance, if we allow them to. When under pressure what’s inside us is exposed – the areas we’re depending on ourselves or on God become evident in who or Who we’re truly trusting with the outcome. Perhaps it’s those moments we more accurately have eyes to see our own character, where we lack and where our strength resides.
Don’t you love that God gives wisdom generously to all, without judgement? He gives freely, but we have to believe when we ask Him. We have to trust Him. We can’t approach Him unsure of where we’re placing our trust. Hebrews 4:16 says, “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we many obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” We come before a Holy God, and we must know our position when we come before Him. Who He is to us, and Who we are in Him. And then, we enter in, in prayer, boldly to the One Whom we know holds the future.
How’s your faith?
Are you lacking wisdom?
Ask God to increase your faith and pour out wisdom on You.
Responsive Prayer
“Father, increase my faith, so that I trust You in all circumstances. Increase my faith, so that I persevere and don’t give up when the road is bumpy or painful. Help me to endure through whatever trials I may come up against, knowing that You are Sovereign overall, and You hold my future in Your hands. Search my heart and expose anything in me that needs to be submitted under Your authority. Please pour out Your wisdom upon me. Develop characteristics in me that are honouring unto You. In Jesus name, amen.”
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