Turning Your Problems Into Opportunities
In life we are
faced with constant problematic issues like financial difficulties, mechanical
breakdowns, personal
brokenness, strained relationships, failing health etc. In each case there is
an opportunity approach each situation
with a Godly perspective. The human tendency however, is to react before
thinking things
through. It is important to have wisdom
and discernment before we tackle any issue we are facing. For those in
ministry, having the right perspective and attitude will help them stay on track
for the things God has called them
to do.
Depending upon
which side of the equation you are on, either ministering or being ministered to, there are different ways to approach life's bumps in the road. For example, if we are called to minister to someone, and we are having to deal with our own issues, how are we going to be able to consider the needs
of others and discern how we
can help those who are in the midst of their own difficult circumstances?
The first step we
should take is to get Godly counsel so our minds are tuned into a Godly
perspective. We know God desires
for us to have an eternal perspective on life so we don’t get discouraged. So
that we stay on the path
He has designed for our lives. The Bible tells us how to appropriate an eternal
perspective:
Start with prayer:
Psalm 32:6-8 (New Living
Translation)
let all the godly pray to you while there is still time, that they may not drown in the floodwater's of judgment. For you are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory.The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.
Philippians 4:6-7 (New
International Version 1984)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Put your faith and trust in God and his promises:
Proverbs 3:5-6 (New
International Version 1984)
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
Seek Godly perspective - Renew your mind:
Romans 12:2 (New
International Version 1984)
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Do what the Lord says: Revere and obey Him:
Psalm 111:10 (New
International Version 1984)
The fear of the LORD is the beginning of
wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good
understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.
Let God's Word instruct you:
2 Timothy 3:16-17 (New
International Version 1984)
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful
for teaching, rebuking, correcting and
training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly
equipped for every good work.
Jesus told us that
we are going to have problems in this world. But he also told us that He has
overcome the world. The world is
filled with danger to our physical and spiritual lives because of sin. But the
“world” can’t take away the
eternity God has promised those who have received Christ and have become His
followers.
John 16:33 (New
International Version 1984)
“I have told you these things, so that in me
you may have peace. In this world you
will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”
John 10:28 (New International Version 1984)
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.
I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand.
So if we want Godly
perspective for any situation we should glean wisdom from this verse in Matthew. Jesus tells us to ask, seek and knock:
Matthew 7:7-8 (New
International Version 1984)
Ask, Seek, Knock
“Ask
and it will be given to you; seek
and you will find; knock and the
door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks
finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
Once we have
received the wisdom from God that He freely gives, we should then apply it
to our situation.
It could be just that we have attitude adjustment. Or it could be that in
any situation God
wants us to use the difficulties to strengthen and grow our character and
faith.
Perspective on an attitude adjustment:
Ephesians 4:22-24 (New
International Version 1984)
You were taught,
with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is
being corrupted by its deceitful
desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and
holiness.
Perspective on character development:
James 1:2-4 (New
International Version 1984
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.
James goes on to say that if we lack wisdom we should ask God. What better way
to approach any difficult
situation than to ask God for wisdom in how to handle it.
James 1:5-8 (New
International Version 1984)
if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask
God, who gives generously
to all without finding fault, and it will be given
to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts
is like a wave of the sea, blown and
tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the
Lord; he is a double-minded man,
unstable in all he does.
Once we have Godly
wisdom and discernment for a particular situation we now have the ability and
opportunity to respond in such
a way that reflects who we are in Christ. Not denying the issues at hand, but
taking on a wise rational
approach, making what is a difficult situation, into an opportunity to honor
God and reflect the
Christ-like character the Holy Spirit has created in us.
God really does
want to sanctify us. He desires for us to be more like Jesus. When we reach out
to God for His perspective,
what shines is the understanding that Christ-likeness is the character we need to put on
regardless of what we are facing. This is because the world is watching how we live and how we
handle ourselves. Are we hypocrites or do we really live out the life we are
telling others about? When
it comes down to it, do we believe in God’s transforming power? Do we believe through Christ we
can do all things? Do we believe God has the power to change our circumstances? Do we believe God
has a plan for our lives? Here are some passages that link the character of a
follower of Jesus to the
process of sanctification. (An act of God that works to make us more like Jesus
in character)
You will notice God
desires for us to be transformed. God wants to use that transformation as a
witness to His redeeming
power.
1 Corinthians 1:30 (New
Living Translation)
God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom
itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy,
and he freed us from sin.
1 Thessalonians 4:3(New American
Standard Bible)
For this is the will of God, your
sanctification; that is,
that you abstain from sexual immorality;
1 Thessalonians 4:7(New American
Standard Bible)
For God has not called us for the purpose of
impurity, but in sanctification
1 Thessalonians 5:23 (New International Version 1984, ©1984)
May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Timothy 2:20-21 (New
Living Translation)
In a wealthy home
some utensils are made of gold and silver, and some are made of wood and clay. The expensive
utensils are used for special occasions, and the cheap ones are for everyday
use. If you keep yourself pure, you will be a
special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to
use you for every good work.
With an attitude of
surrender to God’s power and wisdom, and by setting aside our own human perspective, we can
properly deal with tough situations. In
fact, we can take what seems to be a problem and make it an
opportunity to reflect the glory of God through our actions. The world is
watching. Let’s not cause
anyone to stumble in their faith. In turn, let’s open the doors of salvation by being the people
God has called us to be. God wants us to
use the time we have been given on this earth to help bring
others to Himself. Our Christ-likeness will offer others a new perspective on
hope because they will
see that God can change what seems unchangeable; the sinful, arrogant, and self-centered human
heart.
1 Peter 3:15 NIV
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,
But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,
2 Timothy 1:7 (New Living
Translation)
For God has not given us a spirit of fear
and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.
Here is some great
instruction on how we can live out a God-centered life:
Colossians 3:12-17 (New
Living Translation)
Since God chose you
to be the holy people he loves, you must
clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make
allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you.
Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together
in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ
rule in your
hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always
be thankful. Let the message about Christ, in all its
richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with
all the wisdom he gives. Sing
psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And
whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of
the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the
Father.
When we keep our
eyes focused on Jesus we will see problems differently.
Hebrews 12 (New
International Version 1984)
Therefore, since we
are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily
entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus,
the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the
cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Consider Him who endured
such opposition from sinful men, so
that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
No matter what we
are facing right now we can take what Jesus says to heart:
John 14:1 NIV
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God ; trust also in me.
“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God ; trust also in me.
Matthew 11:28-29 (New
International Version 1984)
“Come
to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in
heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
John 14:27 (New
International Version 1984)
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives.
Do not let your hearts be troubled and do
not be afraid.
We can be confident
that Jesus understands and cares about what we go through in life.
Hebrews 4:14-15 (New International
Version 1984)
Therefore, since we
have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of
God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess.
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has
been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.
We know He cares
because He willingly suffered and gave His life so we can have life.
Romans 5:8 NIV
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
We have an awesome
God who we can turn to under any circumstance. He can take any problem we are facing and help
us discern how to best handle ourselves in the situation at hand.
Will you trust Him
today with the circumstances you are facing?
Peter 5:7 (New Living
Translation)
Give all your worries and cares to God, for he
cares about you.
God promises this:
Isaiah 41:10 (New
International Version 1984)
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be
dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Followers of
Christ can bank on this:
Romans 8:38-39 (New
International Version 1984)
For I am convinced that neither death nor
life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth,
nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our
Lord.
So with the Holy
Spirit’s power in our lives, any problem we face can become an opportunity for some good to come as a result. Seeking and applying Godly wisdom is of the utmost importance in being able to withstand everything from relational issues to attacks from the enemy. Remember what were are told in Galatians 6:10-11:
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.
Just Sayin………………..Dave
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