Just Ask

There was once a man, Thomas, who lived a life that many would envy. He had a great job, a beautiful home, and a loving family. Yet, a gnawing dissatisfaction followed him everywhere. He was always chasing the next promotion, the bigger house, the perfect vacation. He believed that once he got these things, he would finally be happy.

But with each new achievement, the happiness was fleeting. The promotion brought more stress, the new house felt empty, and the memories of the vacation faded fast. He started to resent his colleagues who seemed to get ahead faster, and he grew frustrated with his family when they didn't appreciate the things he worked so hard for. His desire for more became a fire that consumed him, leaving behind a trail of frustration, anger, and disappointment. He was fighting battles on all fronts—at work, at home, and most of all, within himself. This constant struggle made him sick and miserable.

Then one day, Thomas stumbled upon a profound truth in the book of James in the Bible: “Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures” (James 4:1-3 NKJV).

It was a revelation. He realized that all the acrimony and misunderstanding in his life wasn't caused by others, but by his own unfulfilled desires. He was fighting and coveting because he wasn't getting what he wanted, and he was trying to get it for all the wrong reasons. The scripture went on to say that the reason we don't have what we need is because we either don't ask God for it, or when we do, our motive is simply to satisfy our own pleasures.

Thomas realized that he had been trying to fill a God-sized hole with temporary things. He understood that for God to provide what he truly needed, two things had to happen: he had to ask, and his motives had to change.

But how?

He found the answer in the words of Jesus, who taught His disciples to pray: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever” (Matthew 6:9-13 NKJV).

The prayer started with, “Our Father in heaven.” Thomas understood that before he could ask for his daily bread—the things he truly needed—God had to become his Father. The key to receiving from God was a relationship with Him.

So, how does God become your Father?

The Bible gives a simple and clear answer. “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9 NKJV).

Thomas was humbled. He realized all his fighting and striving was for nothing. The only way to true peace and fulfillment was to stop fighting and to start believing. He knelt and prayed a simple prayer from his heart:

“Father God, I come to You today. I believe that Jesus Christ died for me and rose again, and that He is seated at Your right hand in heaven. From this day forward, Jesus Christ, You are my Lord and Savior.”

In that moment, a profound peace settled over him. The gnawing dissatisfaction and constant struggle were replaced with a sense of security and belonging. He finally understood that he didn't need to fight for what he desired. All he had to do was ask his new Father in heaven, and He would provide for his every need.

From that day on, Thomas’s life wasn’t without challenges, but his approach was completely different. The fights ceased. The anger and frustration melted away. He found true contentment not in what he had, but in the One who had him. He had found the greatest treasure of all—a relationship with his heavenly Father.

What are you fighting for today? Is it time to stop fighting and ask Jesus Christ to become your Lord and Savior