Problems? Who doesn't have problems? The greatest ruler to the poorest of the poor and all in between deal with problems. No one is immured from them.
The question becomes "how do we deal with these problems?" Do we allow them to overwhelm us or do we allow them to side-track us down rabbit trails or do we become frozen by their attack or what? I've always been one to be overwhelmed and frozen into inactivity, along with a side of whining.
Sarah Young, author of Jesus Calling, gives a totally off the wall way to deal with problems:
"Welcome problems as perspective-lifters. My children tend to sleepwalk through their days until they bump into an obstacle that stymies them. If you encounter a problem with no immediate solution, your response to that situation will take you either up or down. You can lash out at the difficulty, resenting it and feeling sorry for yourself. This will take you down into a pit of self-pity.
"Alternatively, the problem can be a ladder, enabling you to climb up and see your life from My perspective. Viewed from above, the obstacle that frustrated you is only a light and momentary trouble. Once your perspective has been heightened, you can look away from the problem altogether. Turn toward Me, and see the Light of My Presence shining upon you."
(2 Corinthians 4:16-18 and Psalm 89:15)
Welcome problems? Light and momentary trouble? Has she walked in my shoes? No, but Jesus has and is, and by the grace of Christ all things are possible.
We all have problems to deal with. How we deal makes all the difference in our ministry and in the world. I covet your prayers that I might see problems as a ladder and start climbing upward.
Praying for you to climb up too!
Grace, peace, and the love of Christ,
Dana