God Time – Challenges and Choices

Posted on 12. Oct, 2007 by frank in faith

In my “God Time” recently I haven’t been able to get away from the first chapter in James. God keeps bringing it up. He brought it up when I first met Lindsay Spengler a couple of months ago (who is now able to eat chicken tacos – OH YEAH!). He brought it up when I had to preach on the topic of suffering. God just had to have James 1 be the primary topic in my Home Team (small group) last week and now He has me studying it in my personal time. I think I now know why.

This week I have had to use James 1:2-7 in FIVE different situations. Moments with friends at a diner, a counseling session, co-workers, and leaders I work with in our church. So, I thought I might as well share my insights here too.

Here is what James writes:

2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 Those who doubt should not think they will receive anything from the Lord; 8 they are double-minded and unstable in all they do.

So what exactly is James getting at? The obvious teaching here is that challenges in life produce perseverance. This concept actually comes right out of Jewish tradition where they regularly addressed how to endure the difficulties that life poses. In verse 4 he says,

4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

The Greek word for “perseverance” is translated also as enduring and patience. Challenges in life and moments that require our patience can be when life seems the most difficult. However, those moments are usually the ones that help us “mature” and do the character building that God wants from us.

So what do we do when we feel this way? Because character building is not fun and often we get angry at God and just want to give up. James tells us…

5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

Wisdom? Why does he mention wisdom?

When we face challenges in life that require endurance and patience… those are the moments that will require us to make a choice. Trials in life require choices in life. James knows this. He lived during a time of great difficulty for early Christians. Around the time he wrote this letter Christians, like Stephen, were being stoned to death for their faith.

When we face challenges in life we are often presented with a choice. Do we continue to wait? Do we take action? If we take action, what action do we take? These are also some of the most difficult types of choices to make because our emotions are running high and that is why James says to ask God for wisdom. James continues…

6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 Those who doubt should not think they will receive anything from the Lord; 8 they are double-minded and unstable in all they do.

Some people will misquote this verse and tie “belief and doubt” to healing. James is not talking about healing at all. He is talking about making your way through the struggles that life sends your way. If you are wishy washy when making choices, you will be ineffective and unproductive. Trust that the Holy Spirit is guiding you in your choice. Be 100% committed to your decision and GO FOR IT.

It is so much easier to make a mistake, apologize, and use your wrong decision to model repentance and reconciliation for others. The people that handle this the wrong way will maintain a lifetime of being tossed about by waves and crises of life. They are consumed by indecision and never help themselves or the others that exist in their circle of influence.

In conclusion,

• Persevere – let God make you mature and complete – undergo some character reconstruction
• Ask for wisdom – God wants to help you make your choice – let Him help you
• Believe – don’t let doubt consume you – respond with 100% commitment to you decision so that you are effective