If you need wisdom..........

James 1:5-6 (NLT)

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask Him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind.

Wisdom is one of those words that you think you know what it means until you try to articulate that meaning.  It’s a principle or character trait that we may not know how to define it, but we know it when we see it in others.  Rarely does a person see wisdom in him/herself; indeed, you are not supposed to (Prov 3:7).  There are various descriptions of wisdom.  A dictionary definition of wisdom is “the ability to discern or judge what is true, right, or lasting; to have insight, common sense, and good judgment, and the sum of learning through the ages.” 

Biblically, wisdom is looking at life from God's point of view and associated with the fear (reverence) of the Lord (Prov 1:7, I Cor 12:8, Eph 1:17).  Wisdom gives you pause and to ask the question ‘What would Jesus do?”  Wisdom is clarity of vision.  Charles Swindoll said: “You look at difficulties and tests as God looks at them.  You look at family life and child rearing as God looks at them. You interpret current events as God would interpret them. You focus on the long view. You see the truth even though all around you are deception and lies.”

When James wrote about asking for wisdom, the context for this request is with respect to why you are going through trials in your life and the testing of your faith (James 1:2-3).  The wisdom that God generously gives is greater understanding why you are going through what you are experiencing.  He helps you see what you are becoming through the trial(s)—maturing your character and softening your heart so that you will be able to help others in your future going through what you have gone through (II Cor 1:4-7).  The wisdom gained through trials in your life produce other admirable character traits—gentleness (James 3:13), discretion (Prov 8:12), power (Prov 8:14), control of your speech (Prov 10:31), humility (Prov 11:2) and self-control (Prov 19:11). 

James 1:5 makes it very clear that God will not rebuke you for asking why He is putting your through whatever trial(s) you are facing.  He wants you to be honest with Him and He wants you to be open to His ultimate will for your life for which trials help you to become who He wants you to be.  Being given wisdom is a gift from God.  People with the gift of wisdom are problem solvers, decision-makers and counselors. They are looked to for advice and counsel.  It helps to give greater purpose and meaning for your life.  

However, James 1:6 says that if you ask for wisdom for facing your trial and understanding its potential eternal benefits to you, you must be sincere in really wanting to know God’s intentions.  Pastor Scott said: “Listen to me church family: You’ve got to really want to know God’s wisdom, because He’s going to tell you. You have to ask in faith, not doubting.  Some of you are living that exact life because you’re not in true submission to God in the midst of your trial. I know what I’m talking about. To humble yourself and say, ‘God, teach me whatever You want to teach me. I don’t want to have to come back this way again.’  If you don’t really want to know what God wants to teach you, He’s not going to answer. You’re going to say, ‘I keep asking for wisdom, but He’s not telling me.’ He’ll tell you when you’re ready to know—when you really want to know what He’s teaching you.”

St. Augustine wrote: “Patience is the companion of wisdom”.  Pray for patience as you ask God for wisdom in facing your trials and be sincere in your desire to learn and achieve godly wisdom through patient endurance as you proceed through your trial(s).  Such wisdom will result in incredible blessings for you in your future and for others of whom benefit from your wisdom.