“If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and He will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.” James 1:5 (NLT)
I’d ignored the nudge for weeks. What kind of nudge? You know the one exactly. The one where you feel like maybe, just maybe, the Lord is asking you to do something, but it feels foreign, strange, or out of your league. I mean, what will people think? What if I seem crazy? What if it's just me and not the Holy Spirit at all?
I felt that way for approximately a month until the Lord convicted me again and again. He didn’t just ask me; He showed up in dreams until I knew I had to say yes. Can you relate?
When God asked me to reach out to an old friend’s parents, I grew concerned. Not only had I not talked to them since high school, but that was over a decade ago. I didn’t even have their number. And yet, God had placed them on my heart.
When I asked my spiritual mentor for guidance, she told me to follow through: “Don’t let the enemy talk you out of something God is asking you to do.” So, a month after God put this person on my heart, and after much deliberation and prayer, I sent them a message. I asked the Lord for divine wisdom and began praying for their salvation. I begged God, “Please don’t let them think I’m crazy.”
A week later, I hadn’t heard back and began to grow weary. Fear told me I was stupid. Anxiety swept over every part of me, and I started to doubt what God had asked me to do.
Did I hear Him wrong?
Was it all in my head?
Was this not from the Lord?
Was I just the weirdo who sent random messages?
And then, I heard a faint ping in my inbox. With shaking hands and a trembling spirit, I clicked on the message. Not only did I find gratitude, but reaffirmation. This person needed salvation, and my message was a beacon of hope to their family—that there was still hope for someone who needed Jesus. This message was timely, and it encouraged their weariness in the journey.
If God has called you to do something that seems foreign, big, or scary today, might I encourage you to ask Him for wisdom? Ask Him to guide and direct your paths, especially when you can’t see the next few steps in front of you. Because our God is powerful and steadfast—and He won’t ask us to do something that He Himself hasn’t already done for us.
Jesus set the way of living through Himself and His disciples. Not only did He spread the Good News called the gospel, He was and is that Good News Himself. Sharing this life-changing testimony with others can seem scary, but He’s with us and within us just like He was with the disciples.
Matthew 28:16-20 reaffirms this purpose and His presence: "Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age'" (NIV).
Today, we have an opportunity to obey His Word or turn away from it. We have the opportunity to press into the uncomfortable callings and scary mountains not because we will conquer them without fear, but because He promises to be with us and lead us in all truth, wisdom, guidance, and discernment. All we need to do is ask.
Let's pray:
Dear Jesus, you know how difficult and scary following your will for our lives can be. But just as you were dedicated to the Father's will for your life, help us to be dedicated to your will for us. You know best and have good plans in store for us. When you call us to scary or seemingly impossible things, remind us that all we need to do is ask for your wisdom and guidance. You’re always with us and never leave our side. Amen.
Agape, Amber
Photo Credit: ©Pexels/Oladimeji Ajegbile
Related Resource: Anxiety: Practical Steps for Healing in Christ
Anxiety is debilitating and can leave us feeling overwhelmed, alone, and defeated. But what if there were practical steps and biblical truths that could lessen the load and aid us in our freedom journeys with mental health struggles? Pastor and Licensed Professional Counselor Susan Thomas joins me to discuss this today! Like what you hear? Subscribe to Bought + Beloved with Kirby Kelly on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!
Originally published Wednesday, 02 April 2025.
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