Unfortunately, most of us fail to see how God wants to use problems for good in our lives. We react foolishly and resent problems rather than pausing to consider what benefit they might bring.
Here are five ways God wants to use the problems in our lives:
1. God uses problems to DIRECT us.
Sometimes God must light a fire under us to get us 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
2. God uses problems to INSPECT us.
People are like tea bags... if you want to know what's inside them, just drop them into hot ever water! Has God 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
3. God uses problems to CORRECT us.
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
4. God uses problems to PROTECT us.
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 that 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
5. God uses problems to PERFECT us.
Problems, when responded to correctly, are character builders. God is far more interested in our character than our comfort. Our relationship to God and our character are the only two things we're going to take with us 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
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 profitable when you cooperate with Him. "Success can be measured not only in achievements, but in lessons learned,
lives touched and moments shared along the way"
LIFE IS AN ECHO. What you send out, you get back. What you give, you receive. WHEN YOU BRING OUT THE BEST IN OTHERS, YOU BRING OUT THE BEST IN YOURSELF.
Have a blessed day!
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