Double-Minded
But he must ask [for wisdom] in faith, without doubting [God’s willingness to help], for the one who doubts is like a billowing surge of the sea that is blown about and tossed by the wind. For such a person ought not to think or expect that he will receive anything [at all] from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable and restless in all his ways [in everything he thinks, feels, or decides].
— James 1:6-8, AMP
Have you ever prayed about something and then immediately worried about whether God would answer your prayer—or wondered how it could possibly happen? Maybe you even tried to figure out ways to “help” God work it out. I’ve found myself in that very place. And I’m so grateful that God sends words of encouragement to remind me that if I doubt Him, nothing can happen. In other words, if I won’t trust Him, I can’t expect to receive an answer.
James tells us in the passage above that we cannot be double-minded—wavering between faith and doubt—when we ask God for wisdom and expect Him to respond.
Not long ago, I struggled with this very thing. I had prayed and asked God for direction, and I believed He had given me an answer. But soon, doubting thoughts began to flood my mind. I was battling to keep my faith steady. Finally, during prayer, I cried out, “God, I can’t do this anymore. These thoughts keep coming, and I don’t want to be double-minded, but I don’t know how to make them stop.”
Immediately, I began to feel His peace. Praise rose up in my spirit, and I started thanking God that He understood me and was helping me find peace through worship. As I worshiped, I felt myself release all my own plans and desires, and I was able to rest in His plan.
God is not angry with us when we struggle with doubt. He’s looking for a surrendered heart that believes His Word. I believe everything God has said is true. I believe that when I pray, He hears me and answers me. But that doesn’t mean I won’t face struggles—especially in difficult times.
James wrote this letter to encourage believers who were scattered and suffering persecution. It’s often when life is hardest that Satan launches his strongest attacks. Remember, he didn’t approach Jesus until after Jesus had fasted forty days and forty nights—hoping to catch Him at His weakest and cause Him to doubt His relationship with the Father. But Jesus showed us that we can defeat every attack with the Word of God.
And even when I can’t recall a specific scripture, I’ve learned that praise works every time. The Bible says God inhabits the praises of His people—what a powerful promise! Hallelujah!
As believers, we have blessed assurance: we don’t have to live double-minded. We can lay everything at God’s throne and receive His peace and freedom as we wait for His victory in our trials.
Think about Abraham—he asked God several times about the promise of a son. At one point, Abraham and Sarah even tried to “help” God fulfill His promise, but that wasn’t His plan. In the end, Abraham believed God’s promise, and God fulfilled it in His perfect time. And He will do the same for us.
Key Takeaways
You can release double-mindedness at the throne. Hallelujah!
God is not angry with you for struggling.
He is looking for a surrendered heart that believes His Word.
Affirmations: Matthew 10:20; Luke 24:32; Ephesians 6:19; Isaiah 55:11
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