Years ago I was sitting on the couch – I still remember it so clearly – and I was caught up in my habitual mix of fretting and praying. It’s like spaghetti, What am I going to do? And God, please help, all mixed up in one bowl, worries and hopes all jumbled in one prayer time.
Then came one of those Dale, the problem is you moments. “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways” (James 1:5-8).
I remember it clearly. I felt like Goliath, struck down right in the middle of my big thick head. Oh, I’m such a giant at solving my problems! Whoosh, the stone comes from the slingshot. No, you’re not, Dale. You’re a double-minded doubter. If you don’t trust Me on this problem, how are you the rest of the time? My spaghetti mix of fretting and wishy-washy praying was all wrong. It’s not only counterproductive (you won’t ever get your wimpy wish), but it’s an out-and-out offense to God: God, I don’t have enough confidence in You to stop my worrying.
If we leave our prayer times a spaghetti bowl of worries and petitions, the meal will prove unsatisfying. Every prayer time needs to come to this surrender: Our petitions to God are based on confidence that in Christ He is our loving and involved Father. Can you relate to my experience?
This Minute is from “Timely Reflections,” a book of 365 Meyer Minutes, available from www.tripillarpublishing.com.
Comments