Solving Problems

 

“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart I have overcome the world” – John 16: 33

In this world we face lots of problems; some are a result of our own mistakes, while others are from other sources. In the Old Testament, we see a lady called Hannah in sorrow. She was not having a child and she had to go through embarrassment and shame. But she got an answer to her problem when she submitted it in the hands of God. Same way, when problems come against us we need to take it to the Lord.

At the same time, we need to analyse how this problem came. Problems come to us through different sources.

Result of a Sin

In the book of Genesis we see problems because of the sin of Adam and Eve. God gave them the power to choose to obey and serve Him. Satan influenced them and they sinned against God. This was the beginning of pain, suffering, hardships, disasters and hard work. Curse came upon the earth as a result of sin – Genesis 3

We are given the power to choose to obey God or not to obey Him. When we sin, it is a matter of personal choice and we are personally responsible for our sin (Romans 6: 23).

The way we respond to problems can sometimes create additional problems. A bad attitude or complaining spirit responses to our circumstances. David did adultery and then to cover up that he did murder.

Jesus Christ is the only answer to this problem. You have to come to Him and receive forgiveness through confession and belief. You also need to maintain your relationship to Him as your Lord and Saviour through obedience.

Confession is willing to admit that we are sinners, being sorry for our sins and agreeing that we will stop sinning. It is also an acknowledgement that we want Christ to be the Lord and Master of our lives. While confession, you need to believe that Christ became the covering for our sin (1 Corinthians 15: 17, 21-22). We must show our love to Him by living a life of obedience to Him and His word.

Sometimes we may fall into problems because of our own bad choices

Since we do not have perfect wisdom, we are bound to make mistakes from time to time. Careless or unwise choices can result in problems. We do learn from our mistakes to pay more attentions, to exercise greater care in the choices we make. This is part of our maturing process. 

Another way to solve problem is to keep Bible as your guide and look solutions for the problem. Solutions contrary to scripture must be rejected. As Bible is God’s operation manual for us, we should obey and listen to the work. A wonderful way to check is through Ten Commandments (Exodus 20: 1-7) and the Sermon on the Mount (Mathew 5-7)

You need to check all the commandments, study and meditate upon it to get answers to the problems.

As an example, Mr X’s friend stole a test and gave a copy to Mr X so he would know the answers before he took the test in his class. Now, the result of this action will be the sin will be discovered and everyone will know what they have done, they might even get expelled from the school. When you see the commandments, they have not obeyed the 8^th one – You shall not steal.

Second example is Mr C has been attracted to a married woman he works with, and has been unfaithful to his wife. The problem here is guilt feelings, unhappiness of his wife, unsatisfied family life etc. When you check the commandments, he did not obey 7^th and 10^th one – You shall not commit adultery, and You shall not convent your neighbour’s house, wife, man servant, ox, donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbour.

God gave commandments to us because He knew that obeying them would help us to avoid many problems and have happy, fulfilled lives. 

Problems may come as a result of outside influences. These problems we don’t have any control. They are natural disasters. Root cause of these is also because of the result of the sin of Adam and Eve

Another way to problem is the action of other people. There are small and large problems which come our way as a result of decisions or actions of others which are entirely outside of our control.

Sometimes we make choices which we know are good, even though we know they cause problems. In Daniel 3, we see 3 young men who refused to bow down and worship the golden image. In Acts 14: 19 we see Apostle Paul preaching even though he knew it will bring persecution

Dealing with these problems, the only way is Prayer and the guidance of Holy Spirit. Establish a habit of communication often with God. He will either show you the solution so that you understand what you must do, or He will work in circumstances so that the problem is solved in other ways.

Always count on the Holy Spirit to direct your daily path (John 16: 13). He will direct you according to biblical principles. Answered prayers and obedience go hand in hand.

Another way to solve problems is usage of common sense and reason. For most of the ordinary situations of life, common sense and our ability to reason are important problem solving tools. Examples are: studying carefully for exams, resting after working hard, asking forgiveness when we have offended someone, staying away from people who have a bad influence on us, etc.

Always keep your conscience sensitive by paying attention to inner warning voice. Thoughts are the root of spoken words and outward acts. Your thoughts are in your direct control. You can refuse to dwell on thoughts that will lead to trouble (Mathew 5: 21-30) 

Finally we have to understand that Problems can purify us and prove our faith in God. Try to face the trials with joy. It will develop perseverance, which leads to spiritual maturity. (James 1: 2-4, 12-27)

Always keep in mind that God will not allow us to be tested beyond our power to remain firm (1 Corinthians 10: 13). He will give us strength to endure and will provide a way to escape. So if we approach the problems with the right attitude, God will use them for our good, to develop in us the characteristics of Christ.

The presence of evil in the world is the root of our problems. So we can turn our problems into victories by allowing God to work good for us through them, perfecting us into the image of Christ and making us more useful servants of God.

A Resolution to PRAY

New Year day people take resolutions. They want to do something consistent throughout that year that can change their life. For example, most New Year’s there will be a crowd in Gyms and in parks for workouts and jogging.

If any of you want to put a resolution for this year, Prayer and Meditation is one of the most advisable resolution that will keep you controlled and stress free.

Prayer is not something that you are going to do physically, like lightning a candle of taking a cross and walking, or rolling yourself somewhere. Prayer is a communication with the Almighty. It is a one on one talk with God who can solve all your problems. So it will be interesting when you talk with God as you talk with your best friend.

There are certain facts you need to know before talking with God. God is holy and we are sinners (1 Peter 1: 16). Sinners are not allowed to talk with God (Romans 3: 23).

For this reason Jesus Christ came to the world and took the punishment for our sins so that we can be sin free and can communicate with God (1 Timothy 3: 16).

Before starting the conversation, you can ask God to forgive your sins (Romans 10: 9). Accept that you are a sinner and ask for pardon. Believe that Christ Jesus paid for your sins and take a decision to live sin free (John 14: 6).

Thank God for forgiving your sins and accepting you as his child (Hebrews 8: 12).

Thank God for sending his beloved son Jesus to get the punishment for your sins for you to be free from sin (Romans 3: 21-26).

Thank God for all the good things that happened in your life. Thank God for the bad things that happened, because once you have a connection with Him, He is going to change that bad things to a joyful good one (Romans 8: 28).

Thank God for loving you and waiting patient to hear from you (Isaiah 30: 18).

Pray for your dear ones, friends, family and ask Him to protect them and bless them with their needs according to His will (Philippians 4: 6).

Pray for yourself, your needs, blessings, protection and your walk with God (Psalms 71).

Believe in faith that God heard your prayers and thanksgiving and thank Him that He is going to answer your prayers (2 Chronicles 7: 14).

Ask everything in Jesus name who is our mediator (John 14: 13).

These are certain points that you can pray yourself quiet to God. Instead of reading some prayers from some book, God loves people praying to Him with their heart directly. A son/daughter will talk with their father directly from their heart, not through reading some books.

May these small prayer points help you to start a communication with God this year, for having peace and joy in your life and to stay holy in all situations of life.

Faithfulness

Each New Year people take some resolutions, mostly with respect to their health. There is a funny saying that in January 1^st week most of the Gyms will be overcrowded and then after 1 month no crowd. Same things happens when people decides for going on a walk daily or running. It might go well for a week or two, but then it stops.

According to Wikipedia, Faithfulness is the concept of unfailingly remaining loyal to someone or something, and pulling that locality into consistent practice regardless of extenuating circumstances.

In 2 Timothy 2: 13, Christ’s faithfulness is mentioned. “If we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself”. God is a faithful God and His faithfulness is consistent. God have given humans the power to think and take decisions. Every year people take decisions. Some take decisions to stop bad habits, some may try to take care of their physical health, or some may decide to walk close with God. The Bible tells us that if

we don’t do any of these things, still God will be faithful to us and He will keep His promises for us.

When the first man, Adam sinned, God promised a saviour Jesus Christ who will come and take the punishment for that sin and make the human’s sin free. As promised Christ came to the world and walked among men. At the garden of Gethsemane, Christ cried and asked God whether God can remove His death and suffering for mankind. But God, being faithful, did not spare His own son for the sake of mankind.

Christ died as an ultimate sacrifice for the sin of the world. Now there is no need to sacrifice anything for cleansing for ones sin. Christ has done it permanently. Only way to receive that salvation is to accept Christ as our saviour and sin no more. Even though we walk in sin, God being faithful died for our sins and made us free.

This New Year let this verse be inside you and motivate you to take decisions and be consistent with it. You are a child of God who is faithful and consistent.