I have a problem—again. It’s Saturday morning and I came down with writer’s block this week. My subject and research have actually been about problems but now with a blank mind, how can I transform my notes into a Sustaining Word. Years ago, I would have been in utter panic. Yet, I’ve gone through this so many times it is no big deal because I’ve learned how to overcome this particular challenge. People often enter into Christianity believing all their problems will disappear. New Christians have told me, “Everything was going great after I first got saved and then all kinds of problems started. Maybe I’ve done something wrong and God is punishing me.” I would explain that no one’s goes through life without troubles. The Christian life is no different. Following Christ isn’t about living without problems but about solving and overcoming problems through the help of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said, In this world you will have trouble (John 16:33).
The key for rising above problems depends on our perspective. The natural man views them from a negative standpoint seeing any problem as an enemy to life. On the other hand, some psychologists say, without problems we would never grow and advance. Without problems to solve the human brain would have never advanced as it has. Yet, the typical response people take is avoiding them at all cost or running away from them. Believers should view problems as an opportunity for God to utilize them as tools in the development of our character. In addition, every difficulty presents an opportunity for us to know God better. Struggling in a raging storm, the apostles saw Jesus walking on water and then calming the wind and waves. That fearful and challenging experience brought a deeper understanding of who Jesus was. The Romans had banished John to the barren prison isle of Patmos—not an delightful place—but the Apostle who had known Jesus better than anyone else, saw Him revealed in a way that caused John to fall at Jesus’ feet as dead (Rev 1:17). Out of problems, we are given an opportunity to know God in a new ways.
When we encounter problems, we can compare them to stones. We either stumble over them or we use them as building blocks to a higher degree of maturity and greater knowledge of God. Power over the challenges of life comes down to how we view problems and how we choose to react. We can become distressed, frustrated, angry, and run away or we can take responsibility, accept them as a reality of life, and deal with them. God will help you, but you must accept His help. One major hindrance with the western mindset is a self-sufficient attitude, “I can do it myself; I don’t need any help.” Sometimes God allows problems so we will humble ourselves under His mighty hand after realizing I can’t do it myself and need God’s help. No lasting solution ever comes apart from Him. For apart from Me you can do nothing (John 15:5).
Problems provide opportunities for us to learn obedience to God’s word. During times of trouble we must put our intellectual knowledge of the Bible into practice. We can accumulate large amounts of knowledge from scripture and even affirm we believe every word. Yet, it requires faith and obedience to put the word into action. Jesus knew all the Word proclaimed—He was the Word. He knew the trouble He would encounter as Messiah. During Jesus’ time on earth, He put His word into practice. Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered (Heb 5:8).
In most instances, we are active participants in the solution. We can’t sit on the couch and order up a solution like ordering a pizza for delivery. God will help us fight our battles and overcome our troubles, but we must be in the battle with Him. We will also encounter problems we can’t solve or situations we can’t change. This requires total commitment, faith, and patience on the Lord. When Israel was trapped with the Red Sea in front of them and Pharaoh’s army behind them, the only solution to this problem was the Lord God. When Daniel was placed in the lion’s den, He possessed no power to change the situation. These become opportunities for God to demonstrate His greatness.
Again I have overcome the challenges of my mental block. Through life I have conquered many issues and have grown from the experience. However, I know I will face more problems, some in which I must participate and others which I must entrust to God and wait until He chooses to act. These are often the most difficult.
Sustaining Word for the Week: No problem exists beyond God’s ability. It is more than Him having a solution, He is the solution. Problems present an opportunity for God to build our character and reveal Himself in new ways to us.