We read in James 1:5-8 (NCV), “But if any of you needs wisdom, you should ask God for it. He is generous to everyone and will give you wisdom without criticizing you. But when you ask God, you must believe and not doubt. Anyone who doubts is like a wave in the sea, blown up and down by the wind. Such doubters are thinking two different things at the same time, and they cannot decide about anything they do. They should not think they will receive anything from the Lord.”
Doubt shuts out God
Even a little bit of doubt causes a person to be unstable, and darkness creeps into his life. The devil, who is the prince of darkness, rules in this darkness. He rules harshly over his subjects. We have seen enough of where doubt, unbelief, worry and discouragement can lead to. It is far from a happy life. In Proverbs 18:14 (NCV) we read, “… no one can live with a broken spirit.” And in Proverbs 17:22 (NCV), “… but a broken spirit drains your strength.”
When we doubt, we carry the whole burden ourselves instead of giving it to God - this shuts God out of our life. Then life becomes heavier and heavier and it gets darker and darker. We are thrown back and forth by our feelings and opinions. We cannot receive anything from God when we doubt.
Pray in faith
We read in Hebrews 11:6 (NCV), “Without faith no one can please God. Anyone who comes to God must believe that he is real and that he rewards those who truly want to find him.”
When we come to God, we must believe that He is real and that He rewards us with what we are praying for. We must believe that He sees us and that He is full of love, care, and goodness. He knows all our difficulties, and He turns everything for our good if only we love Him and believe in Him. (Romans 8:28.) He has counted all the hairs on our head, and He makes sure that no temptation or trial is too difficult for us. (1 Corinthians 10:13.)
If we pray for the Holy Spirit, we will receive the Holy Spirit. If we pray for wisdom, we will receive wisdom. We must not doubt His power and goodness. Even a little bit of faith brings hope in our hearts, and darkness is driven out. We come into the kingdom where Jesus rules - He is the Prince of light and He looks well after His subjects. He lets it become brighter and brighter for us. His yoke is easy, and His burden is light.
Believe without doubting
It is foolish to doubt. Wisdom does not doubt; it is without hypocrisy, full of mercy and good fruits, as we read in James 3:17. Wisdom opens our eyes and makes our steps firm. It is a shame to doubt God’s love and goodness, because Jesus gave His life for us.
Peter was afraid when he saw the strong wind and the waves, and he began to sink. Then Jesus said, “You have so little faith … Why did you doubt me?” Matthew 14:30-31 (NLT). Our faith is tested when the storms come, and it is our tested faith that is so precious before God. We are kept safe by the power of God when we believe, but when we don’t believe, we will sink. (1 Peter 1:5-7.)