Hey Guys-
Its been a while since I have been able to post to this blog as life has gotten in the way. Maybe some of you can identify with me? I am certainly working to correct my consistency but in the meantime, I have found a post from a huge hero of mine, Pastor Rick Warren who happens to write about a topic we all want to know the answer to…God’s Purpose Behind our Problems…
Written by Rick Warren
Life is a series of problem-solving opportunities. The problems you
face will either defeat you or develop you – depending on how you
respond to them. 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:
- 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.” Pr. 20: 30 (GN)
- God uses problems to INSPECT you. People are like tea bags… if
you want to know what’s inside them, just drop 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)
- 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.” Ps 119:71-72 (LB)
- 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 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…” Gen. 50:20 (NIV)
- 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.” Rom. 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 profitable when you cooperate with Him!
