Daddy, I Can Do It Myself

By Jim Goodman, Retired Pastor of Stillwell Bible Baptist Church, Clarksville, AR

Read James 1:5-7.

In the Book of James, we find some of the most practical wisdom available anywhere. More specifically, in James chapter one, we find wisdom for trials.                       

James opened his letter with a call to maturity and said that maturity comes from trials of many kinds and that we should consider those trials joyful because they let us know that God is working in us. Your perseverance is how you mature.                                                                                  

James realizes that in times of trials, God’s people often lack His wisdom on how to endure those trials with joy. Thus, He adds specific instructions in verses 5-7. Of course, we can ask God for wisdom in any matter we face, but James is focused on asking God for the wisdom that we need to endure trials joyfully. 

The time to seek wisdom from God is before the calamity arrives.

Enduring trials with joy goes against our natural inclination. When trials come, our normal response is to ask, “Why is this happening to me?” But that is usually the wrong question. Sometimes, God graciously reveals to us the reason for our suffering, but not always. The important questions to ask when faced with a trial are, “How can I navigate through this storm in such a way as to bring glory to God? How can this trial help me grow in maturity?”

By nature, all of us are self-sufficient know-it-alls. How well I remember my little girl’s words, “Daddy, do it myself!” But when we come before God, we must humble ourselves and admit that so often, we do not know what we need to know to live joyfully in the face of trials. In fact, one of the main reasons that God sends trials is to humble us from our pride. His desire is that we look to Him. So, a prerequisite to obtaining wisdom from God is first recognizing our own lack of wisdom. 

God’s wisdom is revealed in His Word. That wisdom involves knowing how to apply biblical truth to daily living. Thus, if you are not spending consistent time in God’s Word, you will not have the wisdom that you need when trials hit. Therefore, the time to seek wisdom from God is before the calamity arrives. 

For the person who asks in faith, James tells us that God gives “generously and without reproach.” Our heavenly Father never looks at His children and says, “What? You again?” God never makes you feel cheap or irresponsible for asking again and again. Rather, He invites you to ask for all the wisdom you need. So rather than trying to do it all by yourself, why not ask for help from the One who has the answers?

Reflective Questions:

1. Have you asked, “Why is this happening to me?” and later, it became crystal clear why you went through whatever you went through? What did God teach you during that time? 
2. When going through a trial, is your first inclination to say, “Daddy, do it myself,” or to humble yourself and ask God for help? 
3. Do you ever feel like God gets tired of you asking for help again and again? What makes you feel this way? Today, do your best to memorize the Scripture below. (James 1:5)

Memory Verse:

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. James 1:5

Prayer:

Dear God, I am thankful that when I lack wisdom, I can come to You, trusting that You will give liberally and without reproach. I need Your wisdom to get through today, this week, this month, and this year. Grow my faith so that I no longer doubt. When trials come, and I know they will, help me to keep my focus on You so that I may grow closer to You. 

Related Scripture:

Proverbs 2:3-6; John 15:7; Jeremiah 29:12-13; Matthew 21:21-22; Hebrews 11:6; Hebrews 10:23; James 4:3