Why Would You Not Ask?

We all have our own set of issues and problems so perhaps this is not something you can relate to or struggle with but, does your tongue ever lie to your brain?

Mine has; mine does; I wish it would stop!

Let me give you an example.

My tongue will tell my brain it worries too much about the little things and that it would be perfectly fine to order that hot sandwich from the local pizzeria.

My tongue tells my brain the biggest fabrications such as one plate of homemade pasta alfredo will do no harm. And one of the biggest lies my tongue tells my brain is that bowl of ice cream with a handful of homemade cookies is a good reward for a good day’s work.

The crazy thing about my brain, (which you would think would be smarter than my tongue) is that it “falls” for it every time. My brain is so gullible. I do want to preface that by saying, I pray it is wiser going forward and with the Holy Spirit's help, I believe it will happen.

I struggle with poor food choices. I am not an overeater, but the things I desire to eat, well, my body is highly allergic to: butter, cheese, beef, chicken, pasta, pizza, breads….oh how I love bread! I have never met a bread I did not like (unless it was “diet” bread.)

It can be a real battle! In fact, it can be as much of a struggle as someone trying to abstain from drugs and alcohol. I have had my share of that struggle as well.

Paul put it so well when he wrote, “For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate.” Romans 7:15 ESV

A small handful of words that perfectly describe the inner conflict we can experience when our desire to do what is right is head-butted by the temptation, or inclination, toward doing what is wrong.

I once heard “the biggest battle you will ever fight is in your mind”. This is a powerful perspective and holds a lot of truth!

The battle in your mind, all the conflicts, doubts, desires, and choices, all of that “stuff” can feel like one of the most significant struggles in life. But here is the trick, and I use that word very lightly, in fact, let me choose a different word; here is the secret or the key to that battle: our thoughts shape our actions, beliefs, and emotions! Our thoughts influence how we perceive the world and ourselves.

Our thoughts.

Seems too simple doesn’t it? But it’s not; it's not simple at all!

So how do we change our thoughts?

I have three steps for you to start with. Trust me, in the beginning this may be a minute-by-minute process.

#1- “Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.” - Colossians 3:2 NIV

#2 – “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” - Romans 12:2 NIV

#3 – “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” - Philippians 4:8 NIV

It is as easy as 1, 2, 3.

When our thoughts do not align with heaven, it makes us sick, and it makes those around us sick. Sick in spirit; sick in love; sick in faith.

James was spot-on with his message in chapter 4 regarding why people fight with each other. "What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures." James 4:1-3 NIV

I see two powerful edicts in these passages: a) Ask b) Have the correct motive.

What are you struggling with today??

I cannot encourage you enough to ask for the help you so desperately need.

May I also offer a suggestion? Something tried and true. I only say this because I have seen miracles in my own life when I approach my problems this way.

Luke wrote "If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" Luke 11:13 ESV

What are we to ask for? Not things. Not stuff. Not health. Not more money. Not less stress. What are we to ask for? The Holy Spirit.

Friend, if you could know that, just like Naaman had to humble himself and dunk 7 times in a dirty river to be healed, that humbly kneeling in a quiet place could solve your problems, why would you not do it?

Please, ask our Heavenly Father for the gift of the Holy Spirit and then, assuming our Good, Good Father, gave you the Good Gift He promised, ask the Holy Spirit for the help you are seeking.

I have a dear friend who is struggling with addiction. I shared with her the secret of how I was finally able to break free from the chains that bound me. The secret was getting on my knees and asking my Abba for a precious gift.

Her reply was that she is not in the same place as I am. In other words, her walk with God is not strong right now. I assured her I read nowhere in the Bible that you need to be in good standing with your local church or even belong to a certain denomination.

This is all about, only about, us (the child) asking Him (the Good Father) for a Gift, that His Son Jesus told us we could ask for!

It’s ours for the asking! Why would you not ask?! It makes my heart sad.

Now of course, it is very bold of me, perhaps risky, to insinuate that God will answer all of your prayers if you ask for the Holy Spirit. But I can invite you to try. It can’t hurt to try!

We are all very familiar with the Lord’s Prayer found in Matthew chapter 6. But Luke also wrote a version and it’s a bit shorter Luke 11:2-4:

“Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation.” - ESV

Verse 13 then continues with words that changed my life!

“If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

Have you asked? Have you knelt by your bed, or humbled yourself in a quiet space and just asked? Why would you not ask? The Holy Spirit is here to help you, but only if you ask.

by Jeanette Stark – Wednesday, 10, 2024