2021 Fast Day Three

Day #3

James 1:5-8 “If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You’ll get his help, and won’t be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who “worry their prayers” are like wind-whipped waves. Don’t think you’re going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open.”

How often do we not know what we are doing, but instead of asking God for help…we flail around, until we have no other option but to cry out for His help?  Do you know that it is an act of reverence to ask questions? It’s possible that somewhere along the way we had drummed into our soul “don’t ask that question,” or maybe at one time made to feel stupid for asking questions, or did we reach adulthood and suddenly think we know it all? If you were taught not to ask questions, then be encouraged today to ask away. Questions are as sacred as answers. We weaken, not strengthen our faith when we silence our questions. Faith is not a whimsical substance that rests on unquestioning souls. As a matter of fact, Biblical Faith is muscular, thickened more through our trials than through ease. As James states here, ask the Father, He LOVES to help. You are LOVED!  Loved when you have all the answers and everything is going great.  Loved when you are clueless and asking questions in dark times. We are LOVED.

Consecration: Suffering in silence

We have a slogan at The Kingdom Center, “there’s no shame in the struggle.”  Imagine for a moment if someone you loved needed help that you could provide, but instead they chose to suffer silently.  Now imagine how that makes God feel when we chose to do this.  God is not diminished by our questions. He is not intimidated by doubt. If we view faith and doubt as antonyms, then we will make a habit of suffering in silence. You win NO TROPHIES for suffering silently. However, what James tells us we do receive as an award is worry, and then we worry our prayer like wind-whipped waves. Today, ask away!  Ask someone for help doing a task you could use assistance with. Ask even the simplest questions as they come to you. If you are struggling, reach out to a friend or loved one and ask for help. And above all else, ask the Father and remember He LOVES to help.