“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 1:6 NIV
Believing is a big thing in the Christian faith. In the NIV translation of the Bible there are 448 versions of the word believe, not including all the times it uses synonyms like the words trust or faith. Have you ever asked, “Are they a believer?” to find out if someone was a Christian? The term used to describe people who follow Christ holds a fundamental assumption that ‘we believe’. But if that’s true, then why does James address doubt?
The reality is that we all struggle with doubt in varying degrees.
In this portion of Scripture, James is encouraging believers to ask God for something and then he tells us we need to believe and not doubt. Verse seven warns us that anyone who doesn’t believe and doubts what they asked God for won’t receive it. OUCH! James calls doubters ‘double-minded’ people and says they are “unstable in all they do”. OUCH again!
Sounds a little harsh doesn’t it? So, was James just being mean or was he showing the ultimate concern for his fellow believers when he penned this portion of Scripture? This “come to Jesus” message is James’ loving wake-up call for us all. He’s trying to jar us out of the numbness that doubt causes and challenging our hearts to trust God will fulfill what we’ve asked of Him.
Let me ask you, “Is your believer broken?”
If the answer’s yes, then let’s work to build up your faith in the promises and faithfulness of God. Read through the 10 VERSES TO HELP YOU KEEP BELIEVING listed below and join in this prayer with me.
Prayer
Father…Today I choose to believe in You! In those areas where my believer is broken I ask you to put a spiritual cast on and heal up my doubt. Help me not to be double-minded. I ask for boldness to speak out faithful words of confidence trusting you will do all I ask that’s in line with Your will. If You said it, You WILL do it, and I BELIEVE IT! In Jesus Name…Amen
If you liked the refreshing in this #SoulH2O devotion, you love my latest Soul H2O Devotional book: 40 Thirst Quenching Devotions for Women.
#Dare2Share
Post in the Comment Section below and bolster the faith of someone else!
YOU CAN OFTEN FIND ME LINKING UP WITH:
MONDAY Monday Meditations – Laura J. Davis,
TUESDAY Cheerleaders of Faith #RARaLinkup – Kelly Balarie,
WEDNESDAY Coffee For Your Heart – Holley Gerth, Word Nerd Wednesdays — Liz Giertz
THURSDAY Heart Encouragement Thursday – Crystal Storms, Chasing Community – Barbara Bradford Ottinger
FRIDAY Dance With Jesus Linkup – Susan B. Mead, Grace and Truth Linkup – Arabah Joy, Counting My Blessings – Deb Wolf, Fresh Market Friday – Crystal Twaddell
Hi Shery! I’m thrilled to have stumbled upon your blog through Holley Gerth’s link up today!
Thanks for your friendly reminder to check my “believer-meter” to see if it’s still working! I needed that today!
Also, huge thanks for listing some great weekly link ups! I’m going to check out a few now since I’m soft launching my brand spankin’ new blog this week: Mom-ventures with Hope & Humility! Feel free to stop by, comment, subscribe, or even share if you like what you see!
Looking forward to swinging back for your next post! Hope you had a lovely 4th!
Hi Allison!
Sorry it’s taken me so long to reply but I’ve been on holidays for the past couple of weeks. My Monday #SoulH2O Devo’s start back up on Monday. Glad you were encouraged and I hope we connect again 🙂
Happy Summer!
~Sherry
xoxo
Oh Sherry,
Thanks. I had to copy and post your prayer on my notes tab. I struggle more with the believing I am worthy end. I know he can answer my prayers but since I often come up empty and dry in prayer life I started thinking I wasn’t worthy or his will for me is torture lol. I keep waiting for the aha moment when I believe that his promises are for this life and not just the next. Hopefully soon 😉 Btw I hope you had an amazing evening for the awards event you were going to!!
Deanna,
Sorry it took me so long to answer. I was on holidays for two weeks. Never done that since I started blogging and I needed the break.
I love your honesty girl! We all struggle with believing we’re worthy because we so aren’t on our own and the enemy likes to remind us. He hates when we remind him that we are completely worthy because of Christ though. A verse kept popping into my head when I was reading your comment. I hope it encourages you:
“I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.” Psalm 27:13
It’s a verse I remind Daddy of at times 🙂
Thanks for asking about the awards banquet. I need to make a post about it…I won!!!! Woohoo!
Happy Summer!
~Sherry
xoxo
Yay! Congrads that’s so awesome. I bet it was a great, fun night. Thank you so much for the verse. I appreciate those more than you know. I think it’s wonderful you took a break. Refueling our tanks is much needed from time to time.
Thanks Deanna! It was such a surreal night.
My tank is getting filled up so much I’m posting tomorrow 🙂
~Sherry
xoxo