If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach and it will be given to him. (James 1:5, ESV)
I came across this verse during a study on James last year, and it rocked my world. It just seemed too simple. All I had to do was ask God for wisdom, and He would give it to me? The passage goes on to say that when we ask we should not doubt, with divided loyalties between God and the world. But if we come to God in faith, he WILL give us wisdom generously. Seriously?
As I continued to study, I found these verses which REALLY had my head spinning, in good way. Jesus said in Matthew 7:9-11,
Which of you, if your son asks for bread will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him? (ESV)
There is a theme here: God WANTS to give us good things, and we just have to ask Him. Could it be that simple?
Prayer used to be the LAST thing I did when I had a problem or a need, and ironically it was the most powerful thing I could do. We know from Scripture that prayer changes things, and regardless of how God answers, prayer changes us. But why do we have to ask God for wisdom if He knows we need it? He could just give us whatever we needed without us asking Him, but He wants us to come to Him. He desires a relationship with us. He cares about us. And when we come to Him in prayer, we pour out our hearts to Him, tell Him our cares, and allow Him to be our comfort and sufficiency. Even in the asking we are blessed in His presence. He is not the means to an end; He IS the end.
After reading this verse, I was convicted because I never asked God for anything besides material things. (Not that there is anything wrong with some Lululemon pants! Just keeping it real ha!) So I started to be more intentional about asking the LORD for wisdom. When problems or decisions came up, I began to go to Him more and more, even before calling my mom. 😊 It has been unbelievable to me how He shows up through His Word, other people, even using “random” things throughout the day to guide me. There is such a difference when I go to Him versus when I try to figure things out on my own. And I can testify that He does indeed give us good things when we ask. He has even given me one of the most precious gifts ever over the past two years: a love for His Word that I never would have unless I had asked Him. And I am so thankful.
Sometimes we can make things way more complicated than they need to be. Just ask.
Natalie
the delighted heart 
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Hi Natalie,
I too have been impressed with the wonderful words of James 1:5. My NKJV bible and my YLT both say that God gives His wisdom to us “liberally”. Something about that word emphasised His abundant generosity in the giving and it overawed me.
I always ask Him for wisdom now with such assurance that He will supply it for me. I, like you, struggle with anxieties and have been depressed too, so this scripture is very wonderful and comforting to really KNOW that the Lord can direct our thoughts, and as we know, His thoughts are higher (often very different) from our own worried ones.
I too, used to phone my mum as my first port of call, but have learnt to turn first to the Lord with my angst and issues as He can bring the change deep in my heart and mind, in a way no one else ever could.
I have been blessed today by reading a few of your posts.
God bless,
Helen Metcalfe
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Helen, thanks for the wonderful comments. Great insight! I am so sorry you struggle with anxiety and depression, but I am so thankful that you have the true hope in Christ to give you victory 🙂
I think when we start talking to the Lord before talking to our moms, we know have really made some progress. Ha!!! Will always love my mama but need to take it to God first.
Thank you so much for the encouragement. I appreciate it so much.
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