Learning to Be Stable in Ever-Changing Winds

In review of James 1:6-8 I read, “But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do.” (NLT)

I must believe not only in the existence of God but also in his loving care. This includes relying on God and expecting that he will hear and answer when I pray. Have confidence that God will align my desires with his purposes. Divided loyalty comes if I'm not convinced that God's way is best, treating God's Word like any human advice including the option to disobey. I would be vacillating between allegiance to my subjective feelings, the world's ideas and God's commands. To stabilize myself I must commit myself wholeheartedly to God. In order to stop being tossed around like a wave, rely on God to show me what is best for me. Ask Him for wisdom, and trust that he will give it to me.

Have you ever made a tough choice, but then the moment you made the decision, you started doubting yourself? You agonized over it. You kept asking yourself if you did the right thing.

The Bible says when you do this you’re like a wave pushed around in a storm. You have so many doubts, and you get tossed about because you’re depending on your wisdom, not God’s.

This is why God wants me to ask him for guidance before I make a decision, and then trust him and his goodness once the decision is made.

When you do, he sets you free from second-guessing yourself.

Here’s the good news: Even if the winds keep changing and the future looks uncertain, I don’t have to be blown to and fro. Put my faith in God and God alone.

Otherwise, James says my loyalty will be divided between God and the world. In some translations of James 1:8, this divided loyalty is rendered as “double-minded.” This comes from a Greek word that means two-souled. It’s about being pulled in opposite directions. It’s about being indecisive, wavering back and forth.

James says I shouldn’t expect God to give me his wisdom if I’m constantly second-guessing myself.

Double-mindedness creates an unstable spiritual life. It blocks your prayers and keeps you from receiving God’s wisdom.

God wants to give me wisdom! When I unequivocally trust God in uncertain times, in all times, he will give me everything I need to make wise decisions.

When I ask him, be sure that my faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave.  Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world, and they are unstable in everything they do. Believe in his loving care. Relying on God and expecting that he will hear and answer when I pray. Have confidence that God will align my desires with his purposes. To stabilize myself I must commit myself wholeheartedly to God.Rely on God to show me what is best for me. Ask Him for wisdom, and trust that he will give it. God wants me to ask him for guidance before I make a decision, and then trust him and his goodness once the decision is made. Even if the winds keep changing and the future looks uncertain, I don’t have to be blown to and fro. Put my faith in God and God alone. Otherwise, James says my loyalty will be divided between God and the world. James says I shouldn’t expect God to give me his wisdom if I’m constantly second-guessing myself. When I unequivocally trust God in uncertain times, in all times, he will give me everything I need to make wise decisions.

Father I do want to commit myself and rely on you for my decisions. With the help and reminders from the Holy Spirit I want to rely on you and your loving care for me. I ask for wisdom and guidance for my decisions on what to study and my next job. You know what’s best for me and I need to keep my trust in you. Please lead me. I also ask for just wisdom for today, for my work, my leadership and my interactions with all, whether they be co-workers of my leadership. I pray these things through your Son Jesus name, Amen.