Is it hard to ask a favor of someone, like a friend, family member or even an acquaintance, some maybe harder than the other? We can be so independent that it is really hard to depend on someone else for a favor. Or it may be that we fear a rejection of what ever the favor is that we are asking. I am one of those that fear rejection and so it has been hard for me to ask for help with anything. A poor place to be for sure.
I know that I love to give favors and why I fear to ask is something that I cannot figure out but some day I am sure I will understand my fears. All my children love to give and I am so thankful for that, but even then they may have the same fears that I have, I have never asked them.
In my study this morning I am going to talk about asking and without fear. In James 4:2 it says in the last part of the verse that "you do not have because you do not ask." And in verse 3 it says, "you ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures." So we need not fear if what we are asking for is something that He has promised to give.
Would you ask a friend or family member for something that was frivolous just to have fun with or something nonsensical? You might because of our worldly nature but again you might fear to ask, depending on who
you are asking.
Well, we need not fear when we come to God for favors, but it says not to ask for something to just spend upon our pleasures. It is not that God doesn't want us to have a good time, I am sure He does, but what is the good time that we are asking for.
Some conditions to our asking: We must ask in His name. John 16:23. We must ask not only in His name but we must ask for things that glorify the Father and the other condition is that we keep His commandments, John 14:13-15. And James 1:6 we must "ask in faith" We may ask for wisdom, James 1:5, we may ask for forgiveness, 1John 1:9, We may ask for the Holy Spirit which is the best gift God can give us, Matthew 7:11.
I have an assignment for you this day. Get out your Bible concordance and see how many things you can ask for that God has promised to give. You will be blessed beyond belief. So ask Him and without fear that you will be rejected, He has promised that "He who comes to me I will in no wise cast out." John 6:37. He may not give us exactly what we are asking for but many times it is something better and then sometimes we have to patiently wait awhile until it is the best time to answer our request. Remember we are dealing with an all knowing God who knows what is best for us at the time of our request and we must let patience have it's perfect work that we may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing." James 1:4.
So don't be afraid to be asking God for the blessings of a lifetime, He will answer in time, so be patient and remember to come before Him without fear of asking. He loves us to come and ask. See how many promises you can find today that you can ask for. Send me your list on the comments. I would love to hear from you. Grandma Joan
Hi, I found your link from the advindicate articles being posted recently. My name is Jessica.
ReplyDeleteI also avoid depending on people from fear of rejection. I've been spending more time in the Bible lately trying to overcome traits ingrained from childhood. I could use even more time, but with three kids at home all day (home schooling) ages 10, 4, and 1 it's hard to find MORE extra time alone. (As it is now I get up in the dark before anyone else in order to get alone time.)
I have found though lately when attempting to understand my own heart that I'm not afraid to ask things of God, but often times my faith in whether or not I'll receive what I ask for is diminished because I don't believe I'm deserving.
I'm starting today though to review the articles in the book "Mind, Character, and Personality" in hopes of finding more practical guidance with guilt and forgiveness.
I hope to get around here to read your thoughts every now and then.