Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
James 1:2-8
I have grown to love this section of Scripture in the book written by James. I don’t always apply it to my life, as I should, but I love it nonetheless. As I grow older as a Christian, I find that the Scriptures that convict are the ones that I hold dearest. When I was younger, I struggled more with false guilt and self-condemnation, so Scriptures that were convicting weren’t my favorite.
However, that was a result of my own immaturity and struggle. I can now hold dear Scriptures that convict, but only by the grace of God and leaning into that grace. Because now, conviction is not condemnation; it is a reminder to me that God has not left me alone, that my loving Father is still working on me.
We all go through trials, various kinds of trials. I love the way James puts that because it’s so true. Life in a sinful world is full of trials, and they are various! I love how James reminds us that there is purpose in trials. We don’t always understand this while going through a time of trial or even after, but it always helps our thinking when we do remember. This truth points us to God’s control and good purpose in any awful or trying situation. It reminds us that His good intentions will prevail and hold us in His Fatherly love.
Just as any good earthly father puts his children in sometimes stressful situations to see what character will emerge (such as sports, public speaking, driving a car, or speaking to an adult), our Heavenly Father allows these situations in our lives. Not because He doesn’t know the outcome, but for us!
Sometimes, I think I’m doing great, and then a trial comes. What emerges isn’t always pretty. However, I always learn something about myself, whether it’s good or bad. And there is grace in either. Grace in spiritual growth or grace in an area that I need to grow in. My Heavenly Father uses it all for good. And I can trust Him.
None of us wants trials, seeks trials, or loves trials. However, as people who live in this sinful world, we know that they will come. This passage gives relief for our souls and peace in chaos.
Recently, as I faced a trial, I was faced with many decisions that I had to make. This Scripture came to mind because I knew that I needed wisdom. So I prayed, “Lord, you say in your word, that if I need wisdom, you will give it generously and without reproach if I ask in faith. I’m going to take you at your word and believe that you’ll give me wisdom for this situation.” And so I waited. And I made decisions, not knowing if they were the right decisions or not.
Later that day, as I’m talking with a family member, I hear these words coming out of my own mouth, “I have just learned that I am a limited human being who makes decisions out of my limited understanding. I am trying to make thoughtful decisions in the right direction. I cannot control the outcome. I can just do the best I can do and trust the One who is in control. And know that His way is best.”
And there it was, y’all! It was not the wisdom I prayed for to make the decision, but rather the wisdom I needed for the situation. It was wisdom given generously, without reproach. And I felt peace.
Immediately.
And then I had this thought… God does not always give me the wisdom I want, but when I ask in faith, He gives generously and without reproach the wisdom I need.
We often think of wisdom as always doing the right thing or making the right decision, but wisdom has more to do with our thinking about things, the way we see or frame a situation. I’ve heard my husband (who is also my pastor) say many times that wisdom is truth, rightly applied.
The wisdom that I needed in the moment was not to make the “right” decision. (What is that anyway?!?!) The wisdom I needed was to apply the truth of Scripture to my heart amid the situation. God is in control. He is good. He will use this for good (whatever this is!). Just do your best and trust Him.
This prayerful, God-centered way of framing things relieved the stress of fretting over making the perfect decision in every instance. It freed me up to just move forward and deal with what was in front of me with greater calm. It relieved guilt and worry. Truth, rightly applied, that is wisdom, and for some reason it is given by God generously and without reproach to someone like me. That’s grace, y’all.
