There are essentially
three ways to respond to trials. We can be offended, offended with
God or others. We can pretend it doesn't matter, stuffing our
feelings, telling ourselves and others we're fine. Or we can practice
choosing to count it all joy, as with His help, we move in that
direction. And His help is available in a number ways. This morning
we are considering the promise at the end of the section “If anyone
lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally, without
finding fault, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith,
with no doubting” (James 1:5,6). In the midst of our trials, we
really do need wisdom. Should we remain silent, or should we speak?
Should we go the second mile, or would that be enabling behaviour?
Many of the exceedingly
great and precious promises (like this one) have a premise, a
condition that must be fulfilled before the promise can be claimed.
The promise that the truth will set you free, is contingent upon me
continuing in, and obeying, His Word (John 8:31, 32). In the James
promise, we need to admit we lack wisdom, and we need to ask. I often
tell the Lord “I qualify, for this promise, I lack wisdom, and I’m
asking! But how does He answer? For me the primary principle is that
“My sheep hear my voice” (John 10:3). And of course, His sheep
are those that follow (verse 4). But how do we hear? Most often, it's
a verse from Scripture, that He illuminates in some way. Then there
is His rhama Word, something whispered into our hearts by Holy
Spirit. But since, in the midst of trials our emotions are likely to
be inflamed, we need to “test all things” (1 Thessalonians 5:1).
One of the ways I have
found helpful, is to journal. Here, when I am overwhelmed, I can pour
out my complaint to the Lord (Psalm 142:2, 3). I can then allow Him
to bring my soul out of prison (verse 7) as, with His help as I quiet
my soul before Him (Psalm 131:2). In the beginning, I would write
letter after letter, but while I was pouring out my complaint, it was
not to the Lord. I was pouring out my complaint in writing, to the
one who was blocking communication, wanting to give them a piece of
my mind. But you know what, I can't afford to give even part of my
mind away! And I learned the hard way to wait and pray before I sent
them. There is wisdom in many counsellors (Proverbs 15:22), and even
after sleeping on them, and still thinking that I should send them, I
have learnt that I should bounce the letter off a trusted friend.
Many times a friend can pick up a wrong tone, or something that's
likely to be misinterpreted in a way you don't intend. In the end I
have probably sent less that one percent of them! And when I do these
things, I can trust that my asking is in faith (James 1:6).
Father, thank You for
Your help in dealing with my inflamed passions. The other person is
the the enemy, for our struggle is not against flesh and blood
(Ephesians 6:12). Help me Lord to pour out my complaint to You, and
then turn it into prayer. Thank You fervent prayer of the righteous,
are powerful and effective (James 5:16) in Jesus Name Amen
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