Faith in the only wise God

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 1:6 NASB

Have you ever faced what appeared to be insurmountable odds?

I remember experiencing the call of God to dedicate my life to ministry. The joy of the calling was memorable. And within months of choosing to follow that call, I received the most challenging news of my life: that my mother had just passed away.

The depression was debilitating. The call to serve God took me on a path thousands of miles away from my support system and the people I desired to support. Yet, I didn’t know that this path would require me to go forward without my mother.

Someone suggested I take a year off, but I didn’t want to delay the journey of pursuing my master’s degree for long. I took one month to mourn and collect myself and then began the pursuit of my divinity degree. I started off focused and committed on my ministerial studies in summer intensives, but as the fall semester ran its course, something I couldn’t name at the time began to overcome me. I was experiencing overwhelming grief and depression. Hundreds of people were around me, but I felt alone. Each day, people were attempting to befriend me, but I was angry at God and others for the difficulties I felt no one could understand. I attempted to reach out and call someone, only to recognize that my mother’s phone number was no longer in service. Tears filled my eyes and rolled down my face.

After a calendar year, I was in a dark place as my grades plummeted due to my focus and attention being scattered like debris tossed by the wind. I needed a break — and not just the scheduled winter break. What I needed was a breakthrough. I remember the day as though it was yesterday. As I recall, it was a Sabbath, and I was at my father’s house. I had no drive, no fight, and I remember getting ready for church slower than molasses moving from the rim of a jar to a plate. The thickness of my grief and depression immobilized me. I got ready for church anyhow, and I left the house knowing that the worship service had already started. I got to the church and found a seat in the balcony just as the preacher was closing his sermon. He uttered this scripture:

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)

When the odds seem insurmountable, know that God is not through with you. He has a plan to see you through.

God knows what you need — and exactly when you need it! In that moment, I asked God to give me wisdom. I asked the Comforter, in faith, to show me the way forward. Upon returning to school, the true test came. Did I truly believe that God would pour wisdom into my life generously and without reproach? The Dean suggested that I take a year off. My reply was that I asked the Holy Spirit, in faith, for wisdom to be able to focus and that I wouldn’t need the time off.

I never would have made it. I never could have made it without asking God in faith and believing that God could turn my life around.

My friend, whatever you are dealing with, know that it’s not too late. When the odds seem insurmountable, know that God is not through with you. You can come to the only wise God, our Savior, in faith. He has a plan to see you through.

Action Item

Take your challenge to God in prayer today. In faith, ask Him for wisdom. Watch what the only wise God will do.

—Carl Ricketts Jr., MDiv, BCC, is director of Chaplain Services for Loma Linda University Medical Center.