Daily devotional · July 14
Wisdom for the Hard Season
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you encounter trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Allow perseverance to finish its work, so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”
James makes a startling request: consider trials as joy. He does not mean pretending pain is pleasant. He means that testing produces perseverance, and perseverance, given time, produces maturity, someone who lacks nothing. Strength is built slowly, like a muscle. Then he turns practical. When we do not know what to do, and most of us are in that place regularly, we should simply ask God for wisdom, who gives generously and without scolding us for asking. That last detail matters, because many people avoid prayer expecting a lecture. Today, name one situation where you are stuck, and ask God plainly for wisdom about it. Then look for the answer in ordinary places: a passage of scripture, the advice of a wise friend, a quiet moment to think. Expect direction to come one step at a time.
Prayer
God, I lack wisdom. Give it generously, and grow patience in me while I wait.