Don’t second-guess yourself

James 1:5-8

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.  But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts i like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.  That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord;  he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does. NIV

Ask God for wisdom …

Solomon did this, and God was faithful.

Here, it is promised that wisdom will be given to all who ask … it will be given generously and without finding fault.

My NIV Concordance reminds me that this word for wisdom, “sophia,” is the same that is used in I Corinthians 1:24 & 30, where Christ is called, “the wisdom of God.”

Dictionary.com defines wisdom, “the quality or state of being wise; knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just judgment as to action; sagacity, discernment, or insight.”

The trick is to avoid doubting … avoid doubting in the request; avoid doubting the fulfillment of the request; and avoid doubting the actions you take as a result of the wisdom you receive.  The Message makes this very clear, “If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You’ll get his help, and won’t be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who ‘worry their prayers’ are like wind-whipped waves. Don’t think you’re going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open.” MSG

Wind-whipped waves … adrift at sea.  I don’t like either of those images.  The first connotes power that is unused and frustrated by its surroundings … the second, abandonment.

So, ask believing.  Step forward in confidence.  Take a stand.  Pray for wisdom.  Then, do what’s right, and don’t second-guess yourself.  Action must be taken … you can’t keep all of your options open … you can’t worry about trying to please everyone or you’ll end up adrift at sea, (likely with a drowned donkey).

That’s a lot to think about today!