Post by Hardcase on Jun 6, 2007 19:12:17 GMT -5
"If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him." James 1:5
Life has a way of becoming complex, confusing, and often disappointingly flat, which makes the entrance of Jesus into our lives a refreshingly welcome experience. Into our dull routines and disappointing days, He makes this hope-filled claim, “I am the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6). How encouraging is that!
When life gets cluttered with a cacophony of voices and conflicting advice, only His voice carries weight with His followers. He simplifies the complexities of life and unravels our confusion. James instructs us, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God” (James 1:5 NIV). Our heavenly Father is ready and willing to show us the way through Jesus. All that counts is what He tells us to do and whether or not we actually do what He tells us to do.
I’ll never forget the time I was counseling a woman who was reeling from the news of her husband’s affair. It’s the kind of thing that would destroy any woman’s heart. We were working through what her response should be biblically, and I felt we were making progress. The wisdom of God was being directed into her life through forgiveness and mercy and a desire for healing and restoration.
When she returned for a follow-up appointment, she said, “I was talking to my friend Barbara this week. She is a Christian friend and has helped me a lot.” Good, I thought, she’s getting support from another Christian. I asked, “Well, what did Barbara say?” I didn’t expect to hear, “Barbara said, ‘If it was me, I’d kick the bum out!’”
Every well-intentioned friend, talk show host, and advice columnist will try to offer solutions to life’s challenges and problems, but apart from God’s wisdom they all fall short. Only His solutions are packed with power, as He gives us the grace and strength to carry out His plans. I learned a long time ago that my first instincts are usually wrong and sometimes destructive. As God pointed out through the prophet Isaiah, “My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways” (Isaiah 55:8 NIV). And as Solomon in all his God-given wisdom declared, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death” (Proverbs 14:12 NIV).
These verses provide a major wake-up call: We desperately need His wisdom and direction! When our hearts are tuned to His truth and we are committed to following His ways, we will find the strength and wisdom we need to face life’s challenges.
YOUR JOURNEY…
Life has a way of becoming complex, confusing, and often disappointingly flat, which makes the entrance of Jesus into our lives a refreshingly welcome experience. Into our dull routines and disappointing days, He makes this hope-filled claim, “I am the way and the truth and the life” (John 14:6). How encouraging is that!
When life gets cluttered with a cacophony of voices and conflicting advice, only His voice carries weight with His followers. He simplifies the complexities of life and unravels our confusion. James instructs us, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God” (James 1:5 NIV). Our heavenly Father is ready and willing to show us the way through Jesus. All that counts is what He tells us to do and whether or not we actually do what He tells us to do.
I’ll never forget the time I was counseling a woman who was reeling from the news of her husband’s affair. It’s the kind of thing that would destroy any woman’s heart. We were working through what her response should be biblically, and I felt we were making progress. The wisdom of God was being directed into her life through forgiveness and mercy and a desire for healing and restoration.
When she returned for a follow-up appointment, she said, “I was talking to my friend Barbara this week. She is a Christian friend and has helped me a lot.” Good, I thought, she’s getting support from another Christian. I asked, “Well, what did Barbara say?” I didn’t expect to hear, “Barbara said, ‘If it was me, I’d kick the bum out!’”
Every well-intentioned friend, talk show host, and advice columnist will try to offer solutions to life’s challenges and problems, but apart from God’s wisdom they all fall short. Only His solutions are packed with power, as He gives us the grace and strength to carry out His plans. I learned a long time ago that my first instincts are usually wrong and sometimes destructive. As God pointed out through the prophet Isaiah, “My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways” (Isaiah 55:8 NIV). And as Solomon in all his God-given wisdom declared, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death” (Proverbs 14:12 NIV).
These verses provide a major wake-up call: We desperately need His wisdom and direction! When our hearts are tuned to His truth and we are committed to following His ways, we will find the strength and wisdom we need to face life’s challenges.
YOUR JOURNEY…
- Who (or what) do you often turn to for advice? How does that advice compare to what God would say to you through prayer and His Word?
- What are some of the biggest challenges you are facing today? What does God tell you about how you should respond?
- Be sure to pray and listen for His voice before you act.
- Ask a trusted and spiritually mature friend to help you search the Scriptures for that “just right” principle to apply in your situation. Or enlist them to pray that you will know God’s ways for the challenge you face.
- Read James 1:5-8. Are you wrestling with doubt, or are you confident that God will answer you?
- Tell Jesus that you surrender to His wisdom and that you gladly embrace Him as “the way, the truth, and the life” in your life today!