Those of us who spent time in the LDS church have been drilled in this verse, yet few actually live it:
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. (James 1:5)
This is a great example of a scripture that says something very different in the ancient languages than it does in any modern translation into English.
In this verse are embedded many elements that instruct us on how to ask the Lord and get answers. This is an immensely important skill. It's unfortunate that the English translations are not very adequate in conveying this. How might you say it better? Here's my present attempt:
If any of you lack wisdom, ask it from the God who gives. To him who gives all will all be given. Ask sincerely, with real desire, prepared to receive whatever he says without criticizing or rebelling against it, and he will abundantly answer. (James 1:5, My Reflection)
One of the harrowing aspects of approaching the Lord is that, while you can have perfect confidence that the interaction will result in your benefit, and will consist of his love, you do not know exactly how that love will be manifest. God's love includes many actions that are widely regarded as unloving and undesirable, even though they ought to be desired more than anything else, and even though they are more loving than anything else.
It's not a light thing to approach the Lord. And yet, that doesn't detract in any way from the importance of doing so. It is vitally important to walk into the light in order to see and correct your own darkness (see John 3). It is the only way to become brighter than you are.
I am amazed to watch my huskies train their puppies. I marvel at how fluidly the mothers fluctuate between getting along very well and suddenly biting their pups. And I marvel at how what seems to be random fluctuations result in a much more stable and harmonious group than it started.
As with all things godly, we ought to expect that what is true for the Lord is true for his servants to the extent that they are like him.
Some people say too much to me, and others say too little. Those who say too much get bit, but it is like a husky mom biting their puppy. They would do anything for that puppy, including die for it. It is love, even if it is only registered as pain. The general response is for people to say and seek less. That should not be so.
One person wrote me today saying: "I don't know how many people bother you like this, but it provides an invaluable service to me. Thank you."
I responded:
"Sincere questions from people doing the best they know are never a bother. '....To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth....' (John 18:37)"
If you are living according to the conditions in James 1:5, please do not hesitate to reach out to me. If you are not, it is better that you focus on that instead.