INTRODUCTION:
We often wonder why we are going through certain things. We may even feel that we do not understand why God is allowing us to go through such trials and challenges. These are questions that good people often ask. In the course of life we do face many issues, challenges and problems and in all these cases we are called upon to face and deal with these things. The Bible is full of accounts of how God used the impossible and challenging circumstances in people’s lives to bring about His plans and purposes. Just think about Joseph, Moses and Paul. We may wish away what we are facing, but perhaps God has a hand in things and perhaps He wants to use what you and I may be challenged with for a greater reason? SCRIPTURE READING: Daniel 6:1-28 (The story of Daniel in the lion’s den) Key verse: Daniel 6:22 1. GOD USES WHAT WE GO THROUGH God uses the problems that we are facing to be able to work in our lives. Primarily God is interested in our hearts. We need to respond wisely to the issues that life brings our way and not get into a reactionary mode. Sometimes one problem can lead to a new solution that could change our lives. One thing that you can be sure of is that God knows what you are facing and what you are going through. He wants to use those things and turn them out for good. Romans 8:28 We are assured and know that all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose. God is able to turn the most desperate situation around into something good. God’s intentions are clear. Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. 2. WHAT YOU ARE GOING THROUGH CAN BRING YOU TO A PLACE OF TRUSTING GOD Often times the issues come because we do our own thing. We do not allow God to lead us and guide us. And as a result we end up with problems. When we trust in ourselves and in our own abilities we are setting ourselves up for a problem. God wants us to trust Him and trust Him completely. 2 Corinthians 1:9 But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God. Life does not always make sense. We don’t always know why certain things happen. Even when things don’t make sense, God is still in control. As a result we can learn to rely on Him and not on ourselves. 3. WHAT WE GO THROUGH CAN BRING ABOUT CHANGE IN OUR LIVES I have seen people who are so convinced of their opinion and position that it is impossible for them to change. God wants our lives to be a process where we are changing from strength to strength and from glory to glory. When we are confronted with problems we are also confronted with change. God can use these issues to help us make those changes that He would have us make in our lives. Problems are a critical inflection point or a T-junction that calls for decision and change. There is a great song we used to sing: ‘Change my heart oh God, make it ever new’. If you are facing something today, you need to evaluate if this problem does not call for change in your heart and in your life. 4. WHAT WE GO THROUGH CAN BE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR GOD Sometimes it is only when we have problems that we turn to God for help. When everything is going well we tend to sail along without allowing the Lord to lead and guide us. God wants to lead and guide you. When trouble comes it causes us to return to God and call on Him in our situation and circumstances. Nahum 1:7 The Lord is good. When trouble comes, He is the place to go! And He knows everyone who trusts in Him! Psalm 120:1 In my troubles I pled with God to help me and He did! No matter what you may be facing today, let it be an opportunity to call on God for His guidance in your life. Expect the unexpected. You may feel God guiding you to do something unusual and from a human perspective it may seem strange, but remember God is God and He sees things differently. It tells us in the Bible that God has got a plan for each of our lives. We may feel things are falling apart but God may be co-ordinating affairs to bring us into the fulfillment of His plan. Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord. They are plans for good and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Romans 8:28 And we know that all that happens to us is working for our good if we love God and are fitting into His plans. 5. WHAT WE GO THROUGH CAN BRING US TO A PLACE OF MATURITY Although we might not like to admit it, problems play a role of bringing us to a place of maturity. Here we see a clear parallel between real life and the things we go through. A child comes to maturity as it faces life’s challenges and moves on. For the moment we may be facing difficulty, but God has a plan and His plan is that we become what He intended for us to become. I have discovered that the people who can help me the most, in the difficulties I am facing, are those who have had similar difficulties and moved through those difficulties to a place of maturity and victory. This is a place where the problem does not rule them but instead they have learnt what they needed to learn and God has taken them onto the next thing that He has for them! James 1:2-4 Dear brothers, is your life full of difficulties and temptations? Then be happy, for when the way is rough, your patience has a chance to grow. So let it grow, and don’t try to squirm out of your problems. For when your patience is finally in full bloom, then you will be ready for anything, strong in character, full and complete. God wants us strong in character, full and complete – mature. Your OBSTACLE could become your OPPORTUNITY! Your STUMBLING BLOCK could become your STEPPING STONE! Your TEST could become your TESTIMONY! Your MISERY could become your MINISTRY! Your FAILURE could become your FOUNDATION! CONCLUSION: THE APOSTLE PAUL ALSO FACED CHALLENGES Yes, even the great Apostle Paul faced challenges. He called it his ‘thorn in the flesh’. He asked God to remove this hindrance on three occasions, but it seems that this was not to happen. God said this to him: 2 Corinthians 12:9 But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. MY GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR YOU! The grace that we will receive if the challenge is not removed could be of greater value to the individual than the direct answer to his prayer would have been. It was just like this with Paul; and also with David; and so it is often the same with Christians now. The removal of the issue/challenge may appear to be a blessing, but it might also bring with it some new form of danger to our spiritual lives; the grace that God may give in the trial may be of more lasting value and may be connected with the development of some of the greatest aspects of Christian character. God can use what you are going through. His grace is enough for you. He will bring you through what you are facing and in the process you will be different and you will see things differently. By: Andrew W Roebert Comments are closed.
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