Need a Good Teacher? June 23
Written by Karen Tripp
“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind” (James 1:5-6 NIV).
Every student has one subject that’s always a struggle. For me, it’s math. Rarely would a math lesson go by that I didn’t need help—but asking for help is not easy. Before I am willing to ask a teacher for help, I ask myself these three questions:
Do they know the answer?
Are they able to share what they know?
Do they want to teach me?
Regardless of how confused I might have been, unless a teacher had all three of these things, I doubt I’d even bother to raise my hand.
Then there’s God. God is not like other teachers. Let’s see how He rates on my three questions:
Does God know the answer? Do you believe that God knows how to handle questions about your parenting problem, your financial problem, or even your cancer problem? Do you believe God has wisdom to give you in all areas of your life—including cancer?
Does God have a way to share His wisdom with you? If you ask God for wisdom, do you believe He will put people in your life to guide you? Will He use scriptures, books, songs, sermons, billboards, and even bumper stickers to give you insight? Will God meet with you through prayer?
Does God want to teach you? Do you believe God wants to give you wisdom? Do you believe that God does not have class favorites He prefers to teach over you? Do you believe there is nothing in your past that can prevent God from helping you?
Can you see a repetitive idea in the answers? “Do you believe ….” The issue of receiving wisdom from God is not about God’s actions, but about what you believe.
The first verse of our scripture for today tells us to ask God for wisdom. But the second one tells us when we ask God for wisdom, “you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.” This verse makes me think God knows we are hesitant to ask for His wisdom—even when we need it the most.
Cancer treatment can bring lots of questions that could use a large dose of Godly wisdom:
This doctor, procedure, or medication or the other one?
Tell my boss now, later, or not at all?
Take the new treatment only if it’s covered by insurance, or do it anyway?
Take a break from treatment, or push through?
As today’s verse says, don’t be tossed by the wind and miss the wisdom God is yearning to share with you. Do you believe God can give you wisdom? If not, pray for God to find ways to lift your doubts. But if you do believe, don’t hold back … ASK.
Pray: Lord, cancer has brought me many difficult questions. Grant me Your courage to seek the answers, Your wisdom to know an answer when it comes, and Your peace once a decision is made. Amen.
Your Turn: Take a moment to read through the descriptions of the three questions about God in this devotional. Each time you see the words, “Do you believe”, ask God in prayer to help you with that belief.
Karen Tripp, MS, LMFT, Cancer Caregiver
Karen is the Executive Director of Cancer Companions, the premiere national Christian cancer ministry (https://www.cancercompanion.org). Her roles have included authoring several Christian books including God is Bigger Than Your Cancer and working as a licensed marriage and family therapist. She is a daughter of a colon cancer survivor. Karen uses her experience to teach how to step into another person’s struggle to help build their faith while strengthening your own.
Cancer Companion’s vision for the future is for every person impacted by cancer to know the hope, love, and grace of Jesus and that every oncology team has included faith in their treatment toolbox. By 2033, Cancer Companions will provide 5 million engagements through cancer prayers, scriptures and interactions to those impacted by cancer. Engagements include; social media outreach, e-newsletters, prayer team requests, 30 days of Cancer Prayer event, and volunteer connections.
To learn more about our ministry and the services we provide visit our website by clicking here.
