Making the Most of our Problems

Problems and problematic people continue to exist in our lives for certain seasons. And, though we may not feel like it, we need to remember the truth that God is in control.

1. Problems and problematic people play a role in testing us – especially our faith. Do we keep on trusting God in all situations? Particularly so, when we get the much desired relief from God, do we see the need to trust God. When we are free from our problems we need to be very careful. For when we do let our guards down and stop feeling the need to trust God – pop – the problems come back.
2. Problems and problematic people exist for the purpose of training us – especially our character. It would do good for us in great measure if we can begin to see our life more like a preparatory school and battleground experience combined – to make us what God wants us to be for eternity. Sadly, we prefer to see our life like a picnic or an extended vacation. So, whether we are presently having problems or we are going through a time of relief – having the mindset of a learner/disciple that recognizes the ongoing battle would greatly help our growth and fruitfulness.

Life offers immense opportunities for us to grow in faith and character. And it is possible for those who have received the grace of God to trust God for victory every time and all the times.

The early chapters of the book of Judges teach us that – God did not drive out the Canaanite people groups for some reasons. The primary reason being to test their faith in God and the secondary reason was to train them for war.

However, instead of understanding what God intended for them through these circumstances, we find the people defeated in faith, defeated in their character, and also defeated before their enemies. The people were leading confused lives.

Every act of deliverance from God and the years of rest that followed offered them valuable lessons to learn and also mend their ways, which they failed to do.

Do we who call ourselves God’s people live miserable lives under the heavy yoke of defeat and hopelessness or do we soar high in the strength of God as more than conquerors in Jesus Christ?

Dealing Difficult People

“My dear, dear, dear God – where are you when it hurts? Why do you keep on allowing people to hurt us?”

No matter where we go, we find that people are the same everywhere. There are those who are so easy to deal with and then there are very, very difficult characters; there are also those who are ‘toxic.’

All of us, I think, may have to deal or even live with difficult people. And sometimes, we just don’t have any choice.

People hurt us in varying measures. And there are those times too when we feel every single body are against us.

We need to understand that:

1. Very few people intentionally hurt us. Even so their scope to seriously damage us is very limited – that is, if we do not end up over-reacting.
2. Some people do not even know that they have hurt us or are hurting us. Talking to them will often just surprise them that they have actually hurt us.
3. And most of the people that are hurting us are just helplessly venting it out on us. It is basically them, their hurts, unresolved issues, pent up anger, etc. And one just happens to be in close proximity to them – to get all the blows. It seems to you that you are walking on egg shells because their life experiences have reduced their fuses so very over sensitive.

Now, what are the options before us:

Option A – Have nothing to do with such people. It is actually not an option at all in this real fallen world.

Option B – Escapism. It is the most exploited option, in that you don’t let them get so near you or you try your best to avoid them. Though this is a comfortable option to take it will not allow us to grow into the person that God has purposed for us.

Option C – Face it in resignation. It is also common for people to just endure; however, it only gets them low and they are filled with self pity, poor self image, self defeat and all such ills.

Option D – Face it with the consolation of Jesus Christ. It is this option that we as Christ’s followers should choose. Firstly, in imitation of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; and secondly, because we know that we have more than enough consolation in our Lord, so much love, and strength that it will only bring us through victorious, for His glory and our very best.