How does God want us to respond to problems?
James 1:2-4
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
We need to realize that problems are inevitable. James doesn’t say if you face trials, but whenever you face them. James assumes that we will have trials and that it is possible to profit from them. James tells us to turn our hardships into times of learning.Tough times can teach us perseverance.
We should expect to grow as a result of problems. God wants to make us mature and complete, not to keep us from all pain. Instead of complaining about our struggles, we should see them as opportunities for growth.
John 6:5
“When Jesus looked up and saw a great crowd coming toward him, he said to Philip, “Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?”
We need to trust God for the means to solve the problem. When Jesus asked Philip where they could buy a great amount of bread, Philip started assessing the probable cost. Jesus wanted to teach him that financial resources are not the most important ones. Is there some impossible task that you believe God wants you to do? Don’t let your estimate of what can’t be done keep you from taking on the task. God can do the miraculous; trust him to provide the resources.
Romans 8:28
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
We need to trust in God’s sovereign purposes for our life. God works in “all things” for our good. This does not mean that all that happens to us is good. Evil is prevalent in our fallen world, but God is able to turn every circumstance around for our long-range good.
“In difficult days, we need to hear and heed the Word of God.”