The Mirror of the Word and other works by C.E. White can be purchased on her website, cewhitebooks.com or on Amazon.

“But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.”

—James 1:5–6

As Christians, we have access to the One who knows everything about everything from the beginning of time to the end. Why do we doubt and worry? God encourages us to ask for his guidance and wisdom and doesn’t look down on us for not knowing already. We can ask him anything “without reproach.”

The rest of this verse normally puts us in fear that we will not receive the wisdom because we have feelings of doubt.

But feelings of doubt are not the same as actions of doubt. We cannot help our feelings. In Mark 9, Jesus said the boy could be healed if the man believed, and the man replied, “I believe, help my unbelief!” Jesus did not scold him, and the boy was healed. The man was not punished for acting in faith where his feelings had trouble following.

We may feel tossed about internally, but as long as our external actions are still moving resolutely in faith, we are not “tossed by the wind.”

So don’t be afraid to ask the Lord for wisdom, and when you have doubts, simply continue walking in faith while praying, “I believe; help my unbelief.”

Our Lord is not stingy with his wisdom and gives it in great measure to all who seek.

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