The Open Hand of God: Asking for Wisdom in the Field and Beyond

Brothers and sisters, if you’ve ever been in a missionary discussion, or even just wrestling with a tough decision at home, you know the feeling. You feel the weight of the Spirit urging you toward a truth, or perhaps you’re faced with a trial that just doesn't make sense. You know you need wisdom—the kind that comes from the Lord—but the doubts, the 'what ifs,' start to cloud the path.

It’s easy to think that wisdom is a switch you flip, or a piece of knowledge you can just download. But the scriptures, and the Spirit whispers, that it's a gift we must *ask* for. And how we ask is almost as important as what we ask for.

I was recently studying James chapter 1, and the counsel was so timely. It speaks directly to the core of discipleship: when we lack wisdom, we are taught to ask God, "who gives to all liberally and without reproach." Think about that phrasing—*liberally* and *without reproach*. It’s an open invitation from the Father.

But then comes the crucial qualifier: "but let him ask in faith, with no doubting."

This is where many of us—even seasoned returned missionaries—can stumble. We can feel the conviction, we can feel the Spirit nudge us, but when we try to articulate the 'how' or the 'why,' the doubts creep in. We start serving the 'god of the clenched fist'—the god who only gives when we have all the answers and no questions. But the Savior invites us to the 'god of the open hand.'

The beautiful thing I took away from this passage is that God isn't asking for perfect faith; He’s asking for *faith-in-process*. Think about the man in Mark 9 who came to Jesus: “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief.” He wasn't claiming perfect certainty; he was acknowledging his struggle while still reaching out. That's the disciple's posture!

This principle applies everywhere—in the MTC, when you’re learning to share the gospel, when you’re studying for your local Book Club, or when you’re just trying to live consistently as Latter-day Saints. We bring Him the faith we *do* have, and we humbly ask Him to strengthen it. We don't need to have all the answers to start building our foundation on the Rock.

If you are currently in the field, or preparing to go, remember that the Spirit doesn't whisper only to the perfect. He whispers to the willing heart. And if you are already home, remember that the work doesn't stop when you get back. You are called to be an internet missionary right where you are planted.

For those of us who are seeking to deepen our understanding of these foundational truths, I highly recommend revisiting the scriptures through the lens of the Social Scripture Study layer in LivingBook. It’s such a powerful way to see how scripture connects to modern discipleship challenges.

If you want to continue this conversation, I invite you to join me for a quick chat this week! We are hosting a free weekly Disciple Challenge focusing on building faith. It’s a low-stakes way to practice bringing our doubts and our beliefs to the Lord. Details are in the comments below, but please don't wait—God is ready to give His wisdom today!