PROBLEMS

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials – James 1:2

What is your Attitude to Trials and Challenges – what the world calls Problems? What is your attitude to difficulties, perplexities, and even crisis? Problems are not meant to stop a Christian Achiever or Leader. They are simply meant to be solved! A positive attitude sees problems as platforms for promotion, and crisis as life’s “wake-up” calls. These alarms are often the catalysts that impel us to become fully conscious of areas of mediocrity in our lives, and the need for equipping and improvement. Stories abound about individuals who, after a close call with crisis, suddenly changed their lifestyles, priorities, value system, and attitude toward life. Biblical examples bear witness to the efficacy of crisis to get people back on destiny’s track. James admonished believers: “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials” (Jam.1:2).

The stories of Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, David, Jonah, Peter, the apostle Paul, and many other Bible characters illustrate how God used the interjection of major crisis to lead these heroes of faith to move beyond mediocrity and maximise their destinies. Just as the mother eagle removes the comforts of her feathery nest to “disturb” the young eaglets into flying, so the Lord moves us beyond our comfort zones so that we are forced to fly and stirred to soar (Dt.32:11-12a). Challenges and crisis cause us to discover our wings. The thrill of flying always begins with overcoming the fear of falling. The world has nothing to offer, but tribulations, but in Christ, we can “be of good cheer” for He has overcome the world (Jh.16:33). Tough times do not last; tough people do. In Christ, you are tougher than the tough world: “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith” (1 Jh.5:4).

God gives meaning to your life’s challenges and will inspire you to move on into all He has planned for you. He will sometimes push you into a challenge of temporary discomfort that requires you to put your wings to use. So, do not mingle with pigeons if you know that you were born to be an eagle. Our Father-God will permit challenges and trials into our lives only for our good (Rom.8:28). 2 Corinthians 1:4 reveals how God “comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” The pursuit of goals will definitely produce problems and invoke challenges, but the proper attitude depends on our perception of problems.

Robert Schuller shared some interesting thoughts about the nature of problems. Here are some highlights:

• Problems are okay – every living being has problems. It is not abnormal to experience challenges in life.

• We often create our own problems, and should therefore assume responsibility. Every solution creates fresh problems.

• No problem is ever “a” problem, but a set of problems; so, the proper approach is to dissect and analyse the problem in order to resolve it.

• Every problem has its match – every mountain, its marching miracle. You can turn your mountain into a gold-mine!

• Every problem has a limited life-span. With faith in God, problems will pass; they will not last. Every trouble is temporary: “for the things which are seen are temporary” (2Cor.4:18b). Tell yourself: “Even this would pass; it shall not last!”

• Every problem is pregnant with positive possibilities. Someone said: “I had to get fired in order to get fired-up!”

• Every problem is a catalyst to personal change, maturity, and growth; and you can choose what a problem will do to you. There is a negative and a positive reaction to problems. Never allow a problem to become an excuse.

Finally, avoid the habit of ‘broadcasting’ personal problems, especially to individuals or audiences that offer no solution. It probably wouldn’t help you, and it often cannot help others. That’s one principle you should imbibe and practise.