“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him” (James 1:5). 

We need wisdom to navigate the trials of our lives for our good and God’s glory. The question is, how do we get it? James tells us that we need to ask God for it. 

That means that right from the start we look to our God in our trials. We are not alone as we embark on handling them. 

That’s exactly what God intends when He tells us to pray for wisdom at the onset of trials.  Really what He wants is our attention. Our full attention. He wants us to see Him through the eyes of faith – His presence with us, His grace sufficient for us, His Word that lights our path, His hope that is an anchor to our soul. 

He wants us to draw near to Him, taking courage in His promises and finding joy in His purposes for us in Christ through the trial. He wants us to take refuge in the cleft of the Rock that is Jesus Christ, in whom we are safe and through whom we can do all things. He wants us to hear the words of His Son: “Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” 

Wisdom positions us with our God. In our weakness, we will know His might. In our fear, we will know His peace. In our foolishness, we will know His discernment doled out as needed, manna for the day at hand. 

“Father, help me to rest in You and trust You moment by moment.”