There are few things more unpredictable and unstable than the ocean. In just minutes, it can change drastically. An earthquake may trigger a tsunami, storms can stir violent waves, and the tides shift daily because of the moon. The sea is restless because so many external forces affect it. This is the picture James is painting in James 1:6. When speaking about prayer, he writes, “But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind” (NASB 95). Doubt leads to instability in our lives, including, but not limited to, our prayer lives. Therefore, we must rid ourselves of it. How do we throw out doubt? James shows us that overcoming it begins with two key changes.
Faith
To remove doubt, we must fill our hearts and minds with something greater: faith. Notice in James 1:6 that when we ask God for wisdom, it must be done “in faith.” According to the Hebrew writer (Hebrews 11:1), faith is assurance and conviction. It is not a “we hope God will…” mindset, but a confident “we know God will…” attitude. According to Paul, this assurance is formed by hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17). When our lives feel unsettled, one of the first questions we should ask is, “How much time are we spending in the Word of God?” Studying Scripture roots us in truth and guards our minds against doubt.
Focus
To remove doubt, we must also direct our minds toward what matters most. When describing the doubting man, James calls him “double-minded” (James 1:8). This describes someone whose attention and priorities are divided. Jesus taught that we cannot serve two masters (Matthew 6:24). Our purpose cannot be both to glorify God and to pursue earthly gain as our ultimate aim. Trying to do so pulls us in opposing directions and creates spiritual instability. When life feels unsettled, it may be because our focus is divided. We must choose whom we will serve.
The sea is restless, but God does not change (Malachi 3:6). This reminds us of the parable of the house built on the rock versus the sand (Matthew 7:24ff). If we fail to place our faith in God and keep our focus on Him, our lives will collapse under pressure, like a house built on sand. But when we anchor our faith in Him and center our lives on His will, we build on a firm foundation. Like the ocean, we will face storms in life. The question is not whether they will come, but how we will respond when they do. Will we stand firm in faith, or will we be tossed about by doubt?
-Bryce Mayfield