Seeking Wisdom
Every rider knows a trail can change without warning. A washout, a sudden storm, a spooked horse; life is no different. When the path gets rough and visibility drops, we need more than a map. We need a Guide who knows the whole trail.
I think about my husband, Vic, out on this land. He grew up on this ranch, and his dad did too. His dad is gone now, and Vic’s sister owns the place, but by God’s grace we still get to own a corner of it. Between the years Vic spent riding with his dad and the years since, he knows almost every trail and fence line by heart. He can tell you where there’s a hidden gate in the fenceline, which creek crossing turns soft after a storm, and where a calf is likely to bed down out of the wind. Riding with someone like that changes how you feel on the trail. You can relax your shoulders because you know they will not lead you wrong.
That is the kind of Guide God is. He does not just hold the map; He wrote the terrain. He knows the obstacles before we ever see them and the rest stops we will need along the way. He is never surprised by a detour, never lost in the fog, and never caught off guard by the weather. His wisdom is not only about giving directions, it steadies our hearts, points our eyes forward, and walks with us step by step.
Life in the Hills has a way of reminding us we are not in control. One week it is blue skies, then the next week we might be knee deep in snow. The same thing happens in our hearts. One phone call, one bill, one hard conversation, and suddenly we are scrambling.
We have all been there: finances tighter than barbed wire, relationships fraying like an old lead rope, world events shaking us like a bad storm rolling off over the hills. In those moments, we do not just need more information. We need wisdom, God’s wisdom, the kind that steadies you like a good horse under a nervous rider.
James writes that we should “consider it pure joy” when we face trials. That sounds as unlikely. But James is pointing to something deeper: God’s perspective. God uses life’s difficult seasons to grow depth and strength in our hearts in ways we couldn’t on our own.
James also says that if we lack wisdom, we should ask God, who “gives generously to all without finding fault.” God gives generously when we ask for help. He does not scold or withhold; all He asks is that we trust Him enough to reach out.
Asking for wisdom requires humility, acknowledging that we do not have it all figured out, and faith, trusting that God has what we need and will provide it. When we ask, we are not simply looking for the ‘right answer.’ We are seeking God’s perspective, His view of what is truly best in the situation before us
James also warns us against being double-minded. A person who doubts is like a rider unsure of the trail, swaying with every turn. If we are going to ask, we must be fully committed. That means more than simply agreeing with God’s wisdom; it means letting it shape our thoughts, decisions, and actions.
Here is how that can look in real life:
Sometimes we drag our boots. We want a few more minutes to do things our way. God understands. But He also keeps calling us forward: “Trust Me. Step out. Let Me show you something better.”
God’s guidance is not just a one-time handout; it is an ongoing invitation to grow in understanding and character. Even before we know to ask, He is at work in our lives, gently leading us toward what is good and true. His grace forgives where we have stumbled and continues to shape us, helping us learn, grow, and respond with wisdom. As we follow, we begin to see and act in ways that reflect His heart. Wisdom becomes more than insight; it becomes a part of how we live, influencing both our decisions and the ways we impact the people around us.
The beauty of God’s wisdom is that it is not reserved for the “super spiritual.” It is for ordinary folks like us, trying to make good decisions in ordinary lives, with mud on our boots and a to-do list longer than a fence line.
So let us make asking for wisdom a habit, not just in emergencies but woven into our daily rhythm like checking fences or feeding stock. Let us come with humility, believing He will answer. And when He does, let us receive it with open hands, even if it stretches us or calls us somewhere unexpected.
When we do, we will discover what James meant about “pure joy.” Not joy because life got easy, but joy because we are seeing it all from God’s eternal point of view, like cresting a ridge and suddenly seeing the whole valley laid out below. We are growing deeper, stronger, and closer to Him.
So next time life leaves you feeling lost or overwhelmed, remember: wisdom is just a prayer away. Ask boldly. Believe fully. Be ready to act. God gives generously, and His wisdom will help you navigate life with grace, grit, and, yes, even joy.
I think about my husband, Vic, out on this land. He grew up on this ranch, and his dad did too. His dad is gone now, and Vic’s sister owns the place, but by God’s grace we still get to own a corner of it. Between the years Vic spent riding with his dad and the years since, he knows almost every trail and fence line by heart. He can tell you where there’s a hidden gate in the fenceline, which creek crossing turns soft after a storm, and where a calf is likely to bed down out of the wind. Riding with someone like that changes how you feel on the trail. You can relax your shoulders because you know they will not lead you wrong.
That is the kind of Guide God is. He does not just hold the map; He wrote the terrain. He knows the obstacles before we ever see them and the rest stops we will need along the way. He is never surprised by a detour, never lost in the fog, and never caught off guard by the weather. His wisdom is not only about giving directions, it steadies our hearts, points our eyes forward, and walks with us step by step.
Life in the Hills has a way of reminding us we are not in control. One week it is blue skies, then the next week we might be knee deep in snow. The same thing happens in our hearts. One phone call, one bill, one hard conversation, and suddenly we are scrambling.
We have all been there: finances tighter than barbed wire, relationships fraying like an old lead rope, world events shaking us like a bad storm rolling off over the hills. In those moments, we do not just need more information. We need wisdom, God’s wisdom, the kind that steadies you like a good horse under a nervous rider.
James writes that we should “consider it pure joy” when we face trials. That sounds as unlikely. But James is pointing to something deeper: God’s perspective. God uses life’s difficult seasons to grow depth and strength in our hearts in ways we couldn’t on our own.
James also says that if we lack wisdom, we should ask God, who “gives generously to all without finding fault.” God gives generously when we ask for help. He does not scold or withhold; all He asks is that we trust Him enough to reach out.
Asking for wisdom requires humility, acknowledging that we do not have it all figured out, and faith, trusting that God has what we need and will provide it. When we ask, we are not simply looking for the ‘right answer.’ We are seeking God’s perspective, His view of what is truly best in the situation before us
James also warns us against being double-minded. A person who doubts is like a rider unsure of the trail, swaying with every turn. If we are going to ask, we must be fully committed. That means more than simply agreeing with God’s wisdom; it means letting it shape our thoughts, decisions, and actions.
Here is how that can look in real life:
- World Events: Instead of seeing global issues only through headlines or politics, pause and pray, “Lord, how are You at work here? How do You want me to respond?” Like watching a storm roll across the prairie, trust there is a bigger system moving than we can see.
- Finances: God’s wisdom often pushes us toward generosity, even when every instinct says to hold on tight. Our resources are not just for us, they are meant to bless others. If you’re looking for guidance on managing your finances, we have a Financial Peace class starting this Thursday night. It’s a great opportunity to learn practical tools and seek God’s wisdom together.
- Relationships: In a world obsessed with self-fulfillment, God calls us to selfless love. His wisdom invites us to ask, “How can I reflect Christ’s heart here?” That might mean forgiving faster, or sticking it out when the trail gets rough.
- Personal Growth: God is more invested in shaping our character than in keeping us comfortable. The challenges we face today, though difficult, can become the source of spiritual strength tomorrow.
Sometimes we drag our boots. We want a few more minutes to do things our way. God understands. But He also keeps calling us forward: “Trust Me. Step out. Let Me show you something better.”
God’s guidance is not just a one-time handout; it is an ongoing invitation to grow in understanding and character. Even before we know to ask, He is at work in our lives, gently leading us toward what is good and true. His grace forgives where we have stumbled and continues to shape us, helping us learn, grow, and respond with wisdom. As we follow, we begin to see and act in ways that reflect His heart. Wisdom becomes more than insight; it becomes a part of how we live, influencing both our decisions and the ways we impact the people around us.
The beauty of God’s wisdom is that it is not reserved for the “super spiritual.” It is for ordinary folks like us, trying to make good decisions in ordinary lives, with mud on our boots and a to-do list longer than a fence line.
So let us make asking for wisdom a habit, not just in emergencies but woven into our daily rhythm like checking fences or feeding stock. Let us come with humility, believing He will answer. And when He does, let us receive it with open hands, even if it stretches us or calls us somewhere unexpected.
When we do, we will discover what James meant about “pure joy.” Not joy because life got easy, but joy because we are seeing it all from God’s eternal point of view, like cresting a ridge and suddenly seeing the whole valley laid out below. We are growing deeper, stronger, and closer to Him.
So next time life leaves you feeling lost or overwhelmed, remember: wisdom is just a prayer away. Ask boldly. Believe fully. Be ready to act. God gives generously, and His wisdom will help you navigate life with grace, grit, and, yes, even joy.
Recent
Archive
2025
May
June
July
August
September
October
No Comments