Lesson 5: Rising Above Troubles (part 4)
Read James 1:2-12 - www.bible.com/bible/59/jas.1.esv

“Ask” means a believing heart (James 1:5-8) – When we are going through God ordained troubles what should we pray about? Wisdom. Someone has said that knowledge is the ability to pull things apart but it takes wisdom to put it back together again. Wisdom is the right use of knowledge. All of us know educated fools.

Why do we need wisdom when we are going through trials? Why not ask for strength, grace or deliverance? We need wisdom so we will not waste the opportunity to mature. James not only tells us what to ask for (wisdom) but he tells us how to ask (in faith). We do not have to be afraid, He will not scold us (James 1:5, 4:6) James describes the doubting believer like the waves of the sea, up one minute and down the next. You cannot trust the waves. Many Christians live like corks, bobbing up and down, tossed back and forth. This kind of experience is evidence of immaturity. If we have believing and united hearts, we can ask in faith and God will give the wisdom we need. Instability and immaturity go together.

*What does Ephesians 4:14 say is a sign of immaturity? _____

What is promised to those who handle trials correctly? James 1:12 – “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.”

“Blessed” – genuinely happy, “Crown of Life” – a rich full life to be enjoyed here and now.


He who has a “why” to live can bear almost any “how.” We can actually grow through our trials, not just endure them. We actually grow in Christian character and maturity. If we love God we will have no problem counting, knowing, letting and asking. “Love” keeps us faithful to the Lord (James 1:8); the double minded person is like an unfaithful husband or wife: he wants to love both God and the world. The child who loves his mother and is sure that his mother loves him can endure the weaning and start to grow up. The Christian who loves God and is sure that God loves him will not fall apart when God permits trials to come. He is secure in that love, not double minded trying to love both God and the world.

God’s purpose in trials is our maturity (James 1:4) – “And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

“Said another way” – But you must let your endurance come to its perfect product so that you may be fully developed and perfectly equipped. If that is what you want then in love to Christ, “Count, Know, Let, Ask”.