February 22, 2015

During lunch with someone from our church this week, I was reminded of the dangers (and the benefits) of talking about problems. Our conversation was on the subject of church problems, but I think what I have to say would address personal problems, work problems and many other settings.

First it is important to note that running away from problems or ignoring them is not going to help. Doing that usually makes problems worse and more difficult to address. We do ourselves no favors when we hide from our problems, pretending that things are fine when in fact, they are not.

But on balance, we should remember that life ALWAYS has problems. The presence of problems is not a sign of my failure. Rather, it is evidence of man’s greatest problem, the problem of sin. Sometimes my problems come from my own sin, sometimes from the sins of others, and sometimes from the cloud of sin that hangs over this world. Usually, problems come from all of those places at once. We will never be free of problems.  

When properly understood, our problems will drive us to our Father. We simply cannot make our lives work without God. It is our pride that pushes us away from God and tempts us to try to fix things on our own. Anger, embarrassment, hurt, avoidance, defensiveness and revenge are sure tip offs that our pride is strongly at work. If we will combat that pride with humility, then our Heavenly Father can step in and bring changes with Him.

And one final observation, if all I can see are the problems, then I have my focus in the wrong place. God is at work in the life of EVERY believer. Yes, He certainly can use our problems for His glory, but even more than that, He is at work, blessing our lives and creating in us what we need so that we can do good things for Him and His kingdom (see Ephesians 2:10).   We must never miss seeing His work because we are too focused on our problems.

Paul told the Philippian Christians, “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6). If my focus is on problems, all too often I miss seeing the good work of God in and around me. I miss the joy that comes by simply knowing I am His child. I miss His presence in the small, private moments. I do not feel His love or His peace in the storm of my problems. And worst of all, I do not see how He wants to use me to bless and love people He brings into my life.

We need not be afraid of our problems. Our Heavenly Father loves us and will turn them into blessings if we let Him. In fact, He is doing that already. Please do not miss His fingerprints and focus too much on the problems. Instead, look for His work, His blessings, His peace, His presence, His power, and His love. It has been there all along!

Your pastor,

Dude Garrett