Riding the Wave

“But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.”  James 1:6

On Mother’s Day weekend, we took out boat out to Shell Island.  The waves were wicked.  By the time we arrived at Shell Island, we were soaked from head to toe because the tall waves kept coming aboard our little boat.  We were motions sick, damp and miserable.  Being tossed about by the winds and waves is not a much fun as you might think!

In this passage James had just told us to ask God for wisdom.  But then he goes on to add today’s verse.  If you are going to go through the trouble of asking, we must then follow through with believing.  That seems simple enough.  Obviously we believe, or we would not ask.

I think the tricky part often occurs between the time we ask and the time we actually receive.  So often, the fruit of our prayers remains in the soil a long time, before we see it erupt with any promise.  Then we have to wait for the sun and rain to do their jobs before we ever get to actually eat the fruit of our prayers.

So what happens in the spirit during the incubation period?  A whole lot of nagging doubts, fears, second guessing and becoming impatient!  When we are in the Spirit and our faith is high, it is easy to believe God is going to answer our prayers.  But when life wears us out, it often seems our faith and hope begins to fade.  We must resist this tendency if we want to enjoy a fruitful prayer life.

Being tossed and blown by the wind causes instability.  Our sure-footedness often goes lacking. Hold on!  Be strong!  Keep believing!  Do not give an audience to your doubts.

Often I am like the father in Mark 9:24 who said “Lord, I believe.  Help my unbelief.”   So true and so profound- because like that man we often have that mixture of doubt and faith.

Dear Lord, help me to believe and not waiver.  Help me to cast down all doubts and believe that you are not only willing, but able, to answer my prayers.  In Jesus’ Name.  Amen.

Sherri