Christian Problem-Solving

Everybody faces problems, right?  Sometimes it seems like every corner we turn, we're faced with another challenge, difficulty, nuisance - PROBLEMS everywhere!  Loneliness and popularity, dating and sex, relationships with the adults in our lives, fear of failure, decisions about the future, finances, perspective...the list of life's problems and worries goes on and on.  What help does God offer?  What guidance does God give?  What comfort does God provide?  What promises does he make?  As we consider all of life's problems, let's explore God's Word on Chrisitan Problem-Solving.

Prespective

Read the following passages and take some notes about how trouble fits in the greater picture of life, faith, forgiveness, and eternity.  Then check your notes with the link below.

Matthew 9:2

Philippians 3:12-14

Romans 14:7,8

1 Timothy 6:6-8

2 Corinthians 12:8-10

John 16:33

CHECK YOUR NOTES HERE

Attitudes

Read the following passages and answer this simple question: What is the basic answer to a Christian's problems?

  • Isaiah 26:3,4 - You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.  Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal.
  • Psalm 37:5 - Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this.
  • 2 Corinthians 5:7 - We live by faith, not by sight.
  • Proverbs 3:5 - Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
  • Matthew 6:33,34 - But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.  Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.  Each day has enough trouble of its own.
  • Hebrews 10:35-37 - So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.  You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.  For in just a very little while, "He who is coming will come and will not delay."

Attitudes - Perception

A large part of how we deal with problems is based on our perception or significance of the problem as compared to other things in our lives, heart, mind and faith.  Read the following passages and right down the perceptions presented in these passages and how they relate to the problems we face.  Check your notes with the notes provided.

 

Acts 16:25

2 Corinthians 4:7-10, 16-18

Philippians 1:21

Philippians 4:6-8

Philippians 4:11-13

Colossians 3:1-4, 15-16

CHECK YOUR NOTES HERE

Methods - Prayer and Promise

Read the following passages to discover what God promises to us when we bring our problems to him in prayer:

  • Matthew 7:7-8 - 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.
  • Matthew 11:28-30 - "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.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
  • Hebrews 4:14-16 - 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.  Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
  • John 16:23-24 - In that day you will no longer ask me anything.  I tell you the truth, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name.  Until now you have not asked for anything in my name.  Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.
  • James 1:5-6 - 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.

Methods - Friends and Fellowship

Friends are important.  We like to be with them, experience things with them, and accomplish tasks with them.  God says they're important when facing problems as well.  Read the following passages and take note of God's commands and promises when friends face problems.  Then compare your notes with the ones provided.

 

Acts 2:42

James 5:13-16

1 Thessalonians 3:7-9

Philippians 2:4

Galatians 6:2

1 Thessalonians 5:11

CHECK YOUR NOTES HERE

Methods - Fight or Flight

Sometimes our problems call for action, demand our attention, and require us to work through them.  We may say we need to fight such a problem.  Other times, the best solution is to turn away from the problem, because fighting it would do more harm than good.  We may say we take flight from such a problem.  The following are just a few examples from Scripture of fight or flight situations.  Read each one and rate it "FIGHT" or "FLIGHT".  Then check your answers with the ones provided.

 

Acts 14:19-20

Matthew 2:21-22

Matthew 10:19-20

Ephesians 6:10-18

Acts 9:23-25

Luke 4:1-13

John 13:14-16, 34-35

Luke 4:28-30

Proverbs 25:21-22

CHECK YOUR ANSWERS HERE

Christian Problem-Solving

Like we said when we started, Christians face all kinds of problems.  And that shouldn't surprise us, because we're all sinful people living in a sinful world, and problems are often caused by sin.  God reminds us in John 16 that we "will have trouble."  Sometimes, God allows trouble to strengthen our faith and to glorify Him (2 Corinthians 12).  Knowing that we will face problems, what has God promised us?

  • IT'S ALL ABOUT PERSPECTIVE - Our biggest problem, sin, has been washed away forever through the perfect life and innocent death of our Savior Jesus.  Because of His resurrection, we have the hope of heaven.  Everything else is pretty insignificant in comparison to that!
  • TRUST GOD - He promises that in all things - whether joy or sorrow, easy-going or troublesome - he is working good for us, will grant us peace, has overcome the world, and has given us heaven.  He is our source of strength, hope and help in all problems we face.
  • PROBLEMS ARE A SMALLER PIECE OF A MUCH LARGER PUZZLE - Because our purpose in life and our hope for the future are connected to Christ, our problems are "light and momentary" (2 Corinthians 4).
  • BRING YOUR PROBLEMS TO GOD IN PRAYER - God encourages us to pray and promises to hear and answer them.
  • RELY ON CHRISTIAN FRIENDS FOR SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGEMENT - God has blessed us with a spiritual network that is also concerned for our physical needs in our friends and church family.  They are a source of additional prayers, as well as an example of faith in Christ and recipients of his care and blessings.
  • ASK GOD TO SHOW YOU WHEN TO FIGHT AND WHEN TO FLEE - The solutions to problems are not always apparent, and the solution may not be what you initially expect or want.  Rely on God's Word as a source of comfort, strength, and example when facing the various problems that life brings.

What a joy it is to have a God who loves us enough to take our problems as his own, to help us through them, and to increase his grace, mercy and peace to us because of and through them.  The next time you've got difficult decisions to face, remember the words of your Savior, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest."

 

MORE WORDS FROM OUR GOD: Isaiah 41:10, 43:1; Matthew 12:20, 28:20; John 6:20-22, 10:27-28, 14:16-18; Romans 8; 1 Corinthians 10:13, 15:58, Philippians 1:9-11, 3:20; Colossians 1:20; 2 Timothy 1:7; 1 John 5:4-5