DON’T WASTE THE WISDOM
Pastor Warren Weirsbe told of a time when an associate of his, a gifted secretary, was going through great trials. She had had a stroke, her husband had gone blind, and then he had to be taken to the hospital where (we were sure) he would die. He saw her in church one Sunday and assured her that he was praying for her.
"What are you asking God to do?" she asked, startling him with her question.
"I’m asking God to help you and strengthen you," I replied.
"I appreciate that," she said, "but pray about one more thing. Pray that I’ll have the wisdom not to waste all of this!"
Wise woman! She not only wanted God’s strength and support, but his wisdom to discern how God was making her like Jesus. How do you pray in trials? Is it, "God get me out of this!"??
Not only do we need strength, we need wisdom. It’s good to reflect on your trials and try to discern what God is doing. But you must ask for his wisdom to discern what he is doing, then keep in step with the Spirit’s work in you.
(From a sermon by Jeff Saltzmann, "Repent of Your Doubt and Be Renewed in Your Trials" 6/29/2009)