In speaking about wisdom, let me first make a confession. Yesterday, for the first time in a long while I felt really worried and anxious. Why? September is fast approaching and to be honest, I feel like I need much clarity about what I should be doing with my life in this season. Many opportunities have been presented and this decision process needs more wisdom than knowledge. I shared with the Lord how I was feeling, and in sharing He reminded me of James 1:5.
The scripture says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.” Here James begins to develop the principle that we can trust God to provide for us. It may seem surprising that we can ask God for wisdom about the tasks of ordinary work—making decisions, assessing opportunities, navigating friendships, investing resources, and so on—but James tells us to “ask in faith, never doubting” that God will give us the wisdom we need.
It is absolutely necessary for us to grasp this. We have to get to a point where we trust that God is the source of all we need—wisdom included. When we worry and become anxious it is because we do not trust God enough. James is under no illusion about how hard it can be to trust God. Yet he insists that the Christian life must begin with trusting God to provide.
If anyone of you lacks wisdom just simply ask God and He will give you freely. Need the wisdom to make a decision, steward and prune a relationship or to know when to speak and when to keep silent? If you need wisdom for anything at all, then ask God to lavish His wisdom on you. Ask of God and you will receive. He gives liberally and without reproach. Whenever you find yourself at loss for understanding, or you’re just lost and need clarity, pray for wisdom.
The scriptures tell us that wisdom is the gift of knowing in faith how to apply the truths of God’s Word practically to the situations of daily life. Proverbs 9:10 says it this way, “the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.” Fearing God is to know Him, to stand in awe of Him, to love Him. It is to live in obedience to Him. That’s where wisdom starts. That’s wisdom’s fountain. Wisdom is a beautiful gift from God that allows us to take what we know of God, what we believe about Him, and consider our present circumstances through that lens. It is that gift that allows you, a child of His to act and think in a biblical way through your situation. So if you are anxious, worried; need clarity and direction, ask the Lord for wisdom, and just rest in the truth of who He says He is.
Angelisa is a Jesus enthusiast, Worship leader & Christian youth leader. She considers herself to be the old-fashioned type of girl who loves spicy food and belly bottom laughter. Among her passions are singing, working with children, and encouraging others.