James 1:1-8 and Plumbing

I had to comfort my stressed-out wife last night, hugging her in the laundry room, when I realized that she was being strong, but at the end of her strength. It is painful to me, as a man, to hold my God-given woman in my arms as she cries. I did my best to reassure her, as much as I was reassuring myself, that God is good and faithful, and He would take care of this, one way or another.

After shutting off the hot water (thank God we still had cold water!), I took Cathy out to dinner just to get away for a bit. We informed the tenants and made arrangements for plumbers the next day.

So, like I said, I read James chapter 1 last night, and I did devotions from it this morning. The verses most people focus on are James 1:2-4...

“Consider it nothing but joy when you fall into all sorts of trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect effect, so that you will be perfect and compete, not deficient in anything.”
James 1:2-4 (NET)

Reading on, we are told to ask for wisdom:

But if anyone is deficient in wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without reprimand, and it will be given to him. But he must ask in faith without doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed around by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord, since he is a double-minded individual, unstable in all his ways.
James 1:5-8 (NET)

How do I proceed? What must I do next? I do not know how to handle this difficult circumstance, but God does. The key to a proper response to difficult circumstances is a proper response to God; we must trust God full, giving Him our undivided devotion and total dependence.

It was thus that I had my faith in God reinforced at the beginning of this day, a day I was planning on taking a cold shower. The plumber is here, now, so we'll see what the financial damage will be. However, these days will only push me willingly closer to my our God and to trust Him more.