“Difficulties always require decision.”

A thought by John Ortberg (2016-05-01) from his book, What Is God's Will for My Life? (p. 45). Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.. Kindle Edition. (Click on the title of the book to go to Amazon.com to buy the book.)

So what does that mean? Don’t difficulties demand despair or frustration? That is how we handle difficulties a lot of the time, isn’t it?

John starts with James 1:5 in the New Testament which says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault.” John says, “It’s significant that in this passage James talks about how we develop as persons — how difficulties can help us grow stronger character.”

He then says, “Difficulties always require decision. James does not counsel us to try to off-load the decision. He encourages us to ask not for directions but for wisdom. Prayer is the single most important discipline for growth in this area because it allows us to share the burden with God and still grow in our wisdom at the same time.”

Did you get that? “Prayer…allows us to share the burden with God and still grow in our wisdom at the same time.”

He goes on, “If we’re facing a choice and want to find God’s will for our lives, we shouldn’t begin by asking which choice is God’s will for our lives. We need to begin by asking for wisdom. We must pray and then proceed with the conscious assumption that God will answer.”

No, difficulties don’t demand despair or frustration. They want wisdom. So ask Him for wisdom and know that He will give generously to you.

So how are you handling the difficulty that you are going through?

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