Wisdom in Trials

But if anyone is deficient in wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without reprimand, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed around by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord, since he is a double-minded individual, unstable in all his ways. (James 1:5-8)

We often look at this passage as wisdom in life - and indeed that is a Biblically consistent interpretation. This is the New Testament equivalent of Proverbs 3:5-6:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not to your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.

James covers the same points as Solomon: Faith, consistency, acknowledging God. We do well to look to God for wisdom in all areas of life.

But a look at the context of James 1:5-8 affords a special blessing, because we see that he broaches the subject of wisdom in the context of trials. As we considered previously, James presents trials as inevitable, and calls us to joy in them as God works them in our lives to complete us. The "But" of James 1:5 connects the two thoughts: James is essentially saying, "Trials are going to come - hang in there, have joy, let God work out in you what He intends. But if you need wisdom ...".

In times of trial, wisdom is often at a premium. So James lets us know that it's okay to ask for wisdom during those times. In fact, God will give it to us generously and without reprimand.

What exactly is "wisdom"? James himself defines it for us later in this letter. James 3:17-18 lays out the elements of godly wisdom, contrasted from the demonic "wisdom" of the earlier verses:

But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and not hypocritical. And the fruit that consists of righteousness is planted in peace among those who make peace.

During times of trial (as other times) we can expect God's course of action for us to include these characteristics-purity, peace, gentleness, accommodation of others, mercy, good fruit, impartiality, authenticity. We can also know that the fruit produced will consist of righteousness, and the soil is peace.

Faith characterizes our receipt of this wisdom. Ronald Dunn, in his classic work Don't Just Stand There, Pray Something, recalls learning this through the experience of his son's illness. While he prayed desperately for wisdom, he never experienced a flash of brilliance or a burning bush. Instead, he made the decision that seemed right to him after prayer, and upon reflection saw that at every point he had made the correct choice. That's when he realized that this passage doesn't say, "and he will feel wise". It says, "and it will be given to him." We have to believe that God has answered our prayer for wisdom!

Faith is a major theme in James, as is authenticity. In many ways this passage is the first example of the works that James expects to accompany a believer. James doesn't want his flock to be easily tossed, to be double-minded, or to be unstable. He contrasts doubt with the faith that God has granted prayers. This foundation of faith will be crucial as we progress in our study, for only in faith can a believer fulfill the works that God intends for him or her to pursue.

In this context we can see that even the seemingly "harsh" words for those who do pursue wisdom without faith, with instability, with wavering - that they should not expect to receive an answer - is still within the overall context of maturing their faith, making them complete. God challenges them to truly believe that He will give them wisdom in their trial - and the result, as James 3 states, will be righteousness.

The book of James consistently moves believers toward authenticity in their faith. The way we pursue wisdom needed during trials is just one example of the maturity God desires to bring into each believer's life.