If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.     James 1:5-8 NKJV

Instability can provoke many emotions, from fear to frustration. Instability is defined as the tendency to unpredictable behavior or erratic changes of mood. If you have ever lived with someone mentally unstable, you know it’s like walking on eggshells in their presence.

Here in Southeast Louisiana, our weather is usually unstable. And, of course, hurricane season leaves us never knowing what we will face.

Stability is something we all crave, even if we are daredevils. We all want to know we have stability in certain things like our finances, our relationships, and our employment.

Children thrive in a stable environment where there is structure.

In our Scripture passage today, however, we are told that if we don’t believe in God, we are unstable. God provides stability. But to have that stability, we must trust in Him. When we doubt God, we are unstable. James describes us as a wave on the sea tossed by the wind.

I don’t care how wealthy you are. I don’t care how awesome your significant other may be. I don’t care how educated or intelligent you consider yourself to be. Without God, we are unstable. With God, regardless of our circumstances, we can remain calm.

Instability can lead to a host of problems, including anxiety. And we all know anxiety can lead to all kinds of issues, including physical ailments. It lends to a chaotic lifestyle.

We are told in Corinthians 14:33 that God is not a God of confusion but of peace. God wants us to have peace in our lives. This is why He sent His Son to die on the cross to save us from our sins. In John 14:27, Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; the peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” In John 16:33, Jesus said, “I have said these things to you that in Me, you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

If you crave peace but are living with instability, turn to God. Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Life is unpredictable and can be chaotic at times, but you don’t have to be. You can trust in God. You can lean on Him in troubled times. He will be your refuge in times of trouble. He will give you peace. He will make your crooked path straight and provide the stability and peace you need.

Have a great day!