Monday Morning Devotion—August 27, 2018
Got a Problem? That's Good!
Consider it pure joy my brothers, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. James 1:2
Are you beset by problems on every side? Does it seem like as soon as you solve a problem another one pops up? Maybe before you have even solved a problem another one and another one besiege you. Frustrated because you just can't seem to get problem-free?
That's all good.
What are you saying Jim? Have you lost your mind? What's good about having problems and how do I get rid of the ones I have now?
I'm glad you asked. In fact, I'm glad you have problems because as the Bible says you should consider it joy when you have them. In fact, James says for you to rejoice because you have problems that test you. And since my first name is James also, I am paying attention to what James, the brother of Jesus said.
First let's see if we can get some kind of clarification here. The Quest Study Bible says this about our, uh problem…understanding what James is saying about problems being good.
"How is joy possible when facing trouble? This doesn't mean we derive pleasure from pain. Instead this describes a unique kind of joy---the deep sense of well-being that comes from knowing that God is in control of everything in our lives. It's an assurance that He is constantly at work, using both pain and pleasure to develop within us character traits of endurance and patience." So there!
Well, I'm not going to leave you hanging with that although it is the "gospel truth" even though it didn't come from one of the four gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
Here's what Sarah Young says: (and yes, it is all her fault I headed down this prickly path for a devotion in the first place.) In "Always Jesus" Ms. Young writes: "Though you are insufficient to handle your troubles by yourself you and the Lord together can handle anything. So don't waste energy regretting the way things are or wishing you could go back to yesterday. Remember He is more sovereign, powerful and loving and He is with you to help."
Remember our favorite bit of advice---how could you forget it since I remind you just about every week: "Pray as if it depends on God; work as if it depends on you." That's the way you provide the opportunity for God to help you solve your problem (s).
Now when it comes to doing your part---you know, the work part. Here are some suggestions for putting yourself in the best position so that you and God can work together on solving the problem or string of problems.
I discovered these 10 Problem-Solving Strategies on the internet. www.psychcentral.com They make good sense and may help you find one or more that work best as you bring them to the Lord's attention:
1) Sleep on it: Sometimes you have so much cluttering up your mind that it is hard to tell the best way to even start in on a problem much less try to solve it. Your mind is being bombarded with fears and false solutions you can't make a decision. So, get some sleep. When you are resting your mind is working on it and the Lord might just place a solution there for you to discover when you awaken.
2) Figure out what you need to tackle and what can wait. Often a problem might come at you like a hydra-headed monster. So which head or tentacle do you attack first? When you awaken, clarity as to which problem area to go after first may become clearer. If that doesn't work, stop, pray and change directions.
3) Separate the problem into bite-sized parts: Each problem has component parts. So if you think of them as stages, like beginning, middle and end and follow these steps in stages, solving each as you go along, that makes the project less overwhelming.
4) Work on a timeline: As you work on these stages set a completion timeline, so this doesn't take on the appearance of a never-ending, unsolvable monster of a problem.
5) Use your network: Don't go it alone. Ask the Lord to put the right people in the right place at the right time to assist you. Your network can help come up with solutions.
6) Don't compare yourself with others: Don't look at what other people are doing and get discouraged with how your problem child is not being tamed as easily. Each person has different strengths and capabilities and the Lord may use those in different ways.
7) Make sure to take a break: Fatigue can be your worst enemy. When you get tired it is easy to get frustrated and feel defeated. Relax. Take a walk, exercise, talk with a friend, etc.
8) Keep solutions that have worked: Don't discard solutions that have worked in the past on other problems simply because they were different. Consider why they worked and if they might work again.
9) Learn from every mistake: Some of life's biggest lessons come from mistakes. So if something doesn't work because you rushed it, didn't have the right resources or any number of problem-defeating measures that fail. Try to figure out why they did fail and don't use them again.
10) Celebrate accomplishments: When the problem is solved, don't immediately start on another one. Hey, you won. Celebrate. Thank the Lord, then take your wife out to dinner or the family to a movie or whatever brings you joy. You feel great!
And Yes, tell the Lord how thankful you are that you had this problem.
Prayer: Thank you Lord for the problems and we especially praise you for always being there to provide the solutions. Amen!