Ask Boldly!

James 1: 2-8

Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.

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.

According to this passage, we are to be joyful when life throws us curve balls. The devil wants us to question our faith and feel distant from the Lord. When we are struggling, it is human nature to point the blame at someone. Satan wants us to resent the Lord when we are challenged, but the Lord wants us to lean on Him. During difficult times, we have two options:

1)      Give our anxiety to the Lord. We can allow the stress of our lives draw us closer to Christ by acknowledging our weakness and accepting His power.

2)      Take control of our own anxiety and “try to fix it.” Usually when we decided to take control of our lives we end up failing. We may be able to find a temporary fix, but let’s be honest… we all need help! Usually when I take the steering wheel I crash and then I usually end up resenting the Lord. “God why did you do this to me!?” But God would respond with- “Laura, you took the wheel, you crashed… but if you let me I will clean up the pieces.”

With the second option I wind up back in the same place… allow the Lord to take over and pick up my mess, or dig a deeper hole.

The second part of this passage (5-8) tells us to ask the Lord for guidance. Once I decide to give my issues to Christ, I need to rest in Him and allow Him to guide me. James tells us- “HE LOVES TO HELP.” But I need to ask boldly, with confidence. I often forget who I am talking to…. God created the world, so shouldn’t I have faith that he can provide for little old me? Shouldn’t I be confident that he is capable? If I believe the bible, shouldn’t I know how much he loves me? So why am I constantly stressing? Why am I so timid when I ask?

Psalm 5:3- In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.

Philippians 4:6- Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.