By Nancy Virden (c)2020

Step 3: Get wisdom from Bible reading and prayer

It is increasingly popular these days to dismiss the Holy Bible as merely a sometimes right book. People say it was written by dozens of authors over thousands of years and is thus impossible to trust. Sorry to be rude here, but how blind! Human understanding could not come up with the wisdom and fulfilled prophecies in this book. There is but one author, God. Faith comes from the Word of God. If you are interested in having faith, try reading it repeatedly in chronological order. You can find copies here and here.

I recommend reading the Bible in large chunks like whole chapters and whole books. Headings, chapters, and verse numbers have been added by publishers to help us navigate and find specific passages; these markings do not exist in the original writings. Context and flow of meaning are richer without those divisions, so try to pretend they are not there. As variations from reading, I enjoy the NIV dramatized version audio Bible and movies that directly quote New Testament books.

Perhaps the most comforting promise about using good judgment was recorded by Jesus’ brother, James. “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”

Without finding fault; what a relief! We do not have to clean up before approaching our Holy Father. He has only one condition for his perfect guidance to get through to us. James wrote, “But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt.”

Faith and trust increase the better we know him. “Be still and know that I am God,” He says. Yet He is a mystery. No one of such finite quality as we can fully make sense of an eternal God. The most studious experts of scripture know only what God has revealed to them. He told Moses His name, I AM. Let us stop questioning our every move. We can be still and know he is God.

-COMMENTS WELCOME

Today’s Helpful Word

John 17:17

Make them holy by your truth; teach them your word, which is truth.

 

If you are feeling suicidal, or concerned about someone who is, in the U.S. call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988, or for a list of international suicide hotlines, go here.

If you are suicidal with a plan, immediately call 911 in the U.S. or go to your nearest emergency room. In the EU call 112. (For other international emergency numbers, go here ). Hope and help are yours!

Always the Fight Ministries (ATFM) has been displaying compassion for those fighting mental illness, addiction, or abuse since 2012. Nancy is the founder and voice of ATFM and openly shares her emotional resurrection from despair. NOTE: Nancy is not a doctor or a mental health professional, and speaks only from personal experience and observations. In no way is this website intended to substitute for professional mental or behavioral health care.

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