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The problems most people face in life will either defeat them or will
develop them - depending on how they respond to each problem.
Unfortunately most people fail to see how God wants to use problems for GOOD in
their lives. They react foolishly and resent their problems rather than
pausing to consider what benefit they might bring.
Here are five ways God wants to use the problems in your life:
1. God uses problems to DIRECT you.
Sometimes God must light a fire under you to get you moving. Problems
often point us in a new direction and motivate us to change. Is God trying
to get your attention? "Sometimes it takes a painful situation to
make us change our ways." Proverbs 20:30 (GN)
2. God uses problems to INSPECT you.
People are like tea bags...if you want to know what's inside them, just put them
into hot water! Has God ever tested your faith with a problem? What
do problems reveal about you? "When you have many kinds of troubles,
you should be full of joy, because you know that these troubles test your faith,
and this will give you patience." James 1:2-3 (NCV)
3. God uses problems to CORRECT you.
Some lessons we learn only through pain and failure. It's likely that as a
child your parents told you not to touch a hot stove. But you probably
learned by being burned. Sometimes we only learn the value of something
... health, money, a relationship, by losing it. "...It was the best
thing that could have happened to me, for it taught me to pay attention to your
laws." Psalm 119:71-72 (LB)
4. God uses problems to PROTECT you.
A problem can be a blessing in disguise if it prevents you from being harmed by
something more serious. Last year a friend was fired for refusing to do
something unethical his boss had asked him to do. His unemployment was a
problem-but it saved him from being convicted and sent to prison a year later
when management's actions were eventually discovered. "You intended to harm
me, but God intended it for good..." Genesis 50:20 (NIV)
5. God uses problems to PERFECT you.
Problems, when responded to correctly, are character builders. God is far more
interested in your character than your comfort. Your relationship to God
and your character are the only two things you're going to take with you into
eternity. "We can rejoice when we run into problems...they help
us learn to be patient. And patience develops strength of character in us
and helps us trust God more each time we use it until finally our hope and faith
are strong and steady." Romans 5:3-4 (LB)
Here's the point: God is at work in your life - even when you do not recognize
it or understand it. But it's much easier and more beneficial when you
cooperate with Him.
Please print this out and read it often to remind yourself why we face problems
in life!
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12/13/14
Making
children smile is such a "sweet" reward!
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