“Consider it pure joy my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”(James 1:2-5)
In one week, I heard two godly men comment on James 1:5 and I couldn’t resist sharing the nuggets with those I love. The first thing ‘new’ that I learned is that the phrase, ‘if any of you lacks wisdom’ refers to the God given wisdom to face trials with not only perseverance but also joy. For 49 years I have quote James 1:5 in relation to a person needing heavenly 
wisdom. When it was put ‘back in context’ I realized that in trials and suffering God will generously supply the wisdom to maneuver in these storms as well as be my comforter (II Cor. 1:3). God gives such insight and clarity when we seek Him in our trials rather than scramble for the available comfort and anesthetizing items of life (food, techno entertainment, hobbies, mall therapy, etc.). In your trials this year, did you find yourself seeking God’s wisdom to behave yourself in the testing of your faith? Just wondering…
Another nugget that I got from Dr. Howard Hendricks (who is in heaven but his teaching is still being played on the radio). Dr. Hendricks was quoting James 1:5 from the KJV version and expounded on the phrase ‘
upbraideth not.’
“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not…”
Now don’t miss this, wait for it. ‘Upbraideth not’ refers to the fact that when we ask God for wisdom in our trial, God is never ‘put out’ or ‘ticked off’ that we bothered Him with our concerns. Some of us were raised with ‘unapproachable parents’ who were too busy to be interrupted and we view God with such a distorted view. Do you have a memory of interrupting your parent with a question and experiencing their ‘ticked off’ facial expression? We are never ‘interrupting’ God and our concerns are never exasperating to God.
An accurate view of our Papa God, is that of a grandchild running cheerfully to their beloved ‘Papa and Mimi.’ Coming boldly to God without reservation is the beginning of not only wisdom but also
supernatural comfort as we face another trial here outside the garden. The following verse captures the happy grandchild running to Papa with the freedom to speak all that one thinks!
“Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence…”Heb. 4:16