Song: “In You I Find My Courage Lord” by Soul Healing Music Station – Michael Chin 

Good morning, and welcome.

I want to share a simple thought with you this morning that could change the way you approach your relationships, your opportunities, and even your prayers.

Here it is: Sometimes the reason we don’t have is simply because we never asked.

James 4:2 says: “You do not have, because you do not ask.” –  James 4:2, ESV

Think about that for a moment.

How many things have we gone without, not because they were unavailable, not because somebody would have said no, and not because God was unwilling to hear us, but because we never found the courage to ask?

Sometimes We’re Afraid to Ask

Asking requires a certain amount of vulnerability.

When you ask somebody for something, you open yourself to the possibility of hearing no.

And sometimes we would rather live with uncertainty than risk rejection.

We tell ourselves:

“They probably wouldn’t help me anyway.”

“They probably don’t have time.”

“I don’t want to bother anybody.”

“I don’t want them to think I need help.”

Or perhaps: “What if they say no?”

But here’s the question I want you to consider this morning: What if they say yes?

You may have been preparing yourself for a rejection that hasn’t even happened.

Sometimes we reject ourselves before anybody else gets the opportunity.

We don’t apply for the position.

We don’t ask for the meeting.

We don’t request the opportunity.

We don’t ask for help.

We don’t tell the person we love what we need.

We don’t ask the question that’s been on our mind.

And then we quietly become frustrated because people don’t seem to know what we want.

But sometimes they don’t know because we never told them.

People Cannot Always Read Your Mind

There are times when we expect people to somehow know what we need.

We think: “If they really cared about me, they would know.”

But that’s not always fair.

People are not mind readers.

Your spouse may not know.

Your friend may not know.

Your pastor may not know.

Your supervisor may not know.

Your children may not know.

The people around you may be willing to help, willing to listen, willing to support you—but you have to be willing to communicate what you need.

There is nothing weak about asking for help.

There is nothing wrong with saying:

“I need you.”

“Can you help me?”

“Can we talk?”

“Would you consider giving me an opportunity?”

“Can you explain this to me?”

“Would you pray for me?”

Sometimes those few words can open doors that silence keeps closed.

Asking Requires Courage

Courage doesn’t mean you’re certain the answer will be yes.

Courage means you’re willing to ask even though the answer might be no.

That’s important.

Because asking is not demanding.

Asking doesn’t mean somebody owes you what you requested.

And asking God doesn’t mean God is obligated to give us everything we desire.

In fact, the very next verse in James reminds us that our motives matter.

James 4:3 says: “You ask and do not receive, because you ask wrongly, to spend it on your passions.” – James 4:3, ESV

So the Bible isn’t teaching us that we can ask for anything we want and God must give it to us.

It’s teaching us something deeper.

Bring your desires to God.

Talk to Him.

Ask Him.

Trust Him enough to tell Him what is really on your heart.

And then trust Him with the answer.

Sometimes God’s answer will be yes.

Sometimes God’s answer will be no.

Sometimes the answer will be not yet.

And sometimes God may give you something completely different from what you requested because He knows what you actually need.

But don’t allow fear to keep you from asking.

Jesus Told Us to Ask

Jesus said in Matthew 7:7: “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” — Matthew 7:7, ESV

Notice the action words:

Ask.

Seek.

Knock.

There’s movement involved.

There’s initiative involved.

Faith is not always sitting still and waiting for something to happen.

Sometimes faith means getting up and knocking on the door.

Sometimes faith means making the telephone call.

Sometimes faith means submitting the application.

Sometimes faith means having the conversation.

Sometimes faith means admitting: “I can’t do this by myself. I need some help.”

And sometimes faith simply means getting on your knees and saying:

“Lord, this is what I desire. I don’t know if it’s Your will for me, but I’m asking. 

Don’t Let Pride Keep You From Asking

Sometimes fear isn’t the only thing keeping us from asking.

Sometimes it’s pride.

We want people to think we have everything under control.

We want to appear strong.

Independent.

Self-sufficient.

But some burdens were never intended to be carried alone.

There may already be somebody in your life with the knowledge you need.

Somebody may have the connection you need.

Somebody may have the experience you need.

Somebody may be willing to mentor you.

Somebody may be willing to encourage you.

Somebody may be willing to open a door.

But you’ll never know unless you’re willing to ask.

And Don’t Be Afraid of “No”

Here’s something else we need to remember.

A “no” doesn’t diminish your value. (Repeat)

If somebody says no, you haven’t lost anything you possessed before you asked.

You’re still you.

You’re still valuable.

You’re still capable.

And you can keep moving.

Sometimes a closed door isn’t the end of your journey.

It’s simply information telling you that this particular door isn’t the one you’re supposed to walk through.

But imagine spending years wondering:

“What would have happened if I had only asked?”

I’d rather deal with an answer than live with unnecessary regret.

Your Challenge for Today

So, here’s your challenge for this morning.

Before this day is over, identify one thing you’ve been afraid to ask for.

Maybe there’s someone you need to talk to.

Maybe you need assistance.

Maybe there’s an opportunity you want to pursue.

Maybe there’s something you need from someone you love.

Maybe there’s a question you have been carrying for months.

Or perhaps the person you need to ask is God.

Whatever it is, don’t allow fear to make the decision for you.

Be respectful.

Be humble.

Be honest.

But ask.

You may hear no.

You may hear not yet.

But you might also hear the one word you’ve been afraid to hope for: Yes.

And remember the words of Scripture:

“You do not have, because you do not ask.” — James 4:2, ESV

So today, find the courage to ask.

Ask God.

Ask for help.

Ask the question.

Ask for the opportunity.

Start the conversation.

Knock on the door.

Because sometimes the distance between where you are and where you want to be begins with having enough courage to simply say: “Will you help me?”

Morning Prayer

Father,

thank You for another day.Give us wisdom to know what to ask for, humility to admit when we need help, and courage to make our needs known. Keep us from allowing fear, pride, or the possibility of rejection to silence us. Teach us to bring our desires before You while trusting Your wisdom concerning the answer. And when there is a door we should knock on, give us the courage to knock. When there is a conversation we need to have, give us the courage to speak. And when we need help, give us the humility to ask. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Have a blessed morning. And remember: don’t allow the fear of hearing “no” to keep you from discovering where God may have already prepared a “yes.”