There is much heartache and pain within our congregation right now. We have been and will continue to be walking through a very rough time. It’s not easy to lose a staff member the way we have. He and his wife were loved. So also are the families that are choosing to seek membership elsewhere. They hurt and so do each of us. We all need God’s help.
The problems you face…our church faces will either defeat us or develop us, depending on how we respond to them. Too often people fail to see how God wants to use problems and difficulties for good in their lives. Sometimes people react foolishly and resent their problems rather than pausing to consider what benefit they might bring. Here are 5 ways that I’ve seen God use problems for good.
1. God uses problems to DIRECT U
Sometimes God lets a fire be lit under you to get you moving. Problems often point us in a new direction and motivate us to change. You might ask, “Is God trying to get my attention?” It may take a painful situation to make us change our ways. In what ways is God trying to direct you?
2. God uses problems to INSPECT U
People are like teabags…if you want to know what’s inside them, just drop them into hot water! God is testing us right now with hot water. What do your problems reveal about you? What do our problems reveal about our church? As God is inspecting your life are you asking Him to help you see what He sees?
3. God uses problems to CORRECT U
Some lessons are learned best through pain and failure. It’s likely that as a child your parents told you not touch a hot stove. How many of us had to get burned before we realized the importance of that warning? The hot lesson however has made an impact on us and hot stoves ever since. Is God trying to correct you through what you’ve been experiencing?
4. God uses problems to PROTECT U
A problem can be a blessing in disguise if it prevents you from being harmed by something more serious. I heard about a man who was fired from his job for refusing to do something unethical that is boss asked him to do. His unemployment was a huge problem, but it saved him from being convicted and sent to prison a year later when management’s actions were eventually discovered. Joseph said to his brothers in Genesis 50:20, “You intended it to harm me, but God intended it for good…” Just maybe God is using our problems for a greater good than we are aware of yet.
5. God uses problems to PERFECT U
Problems, when responded to correctly, are character builders. God is far more interested in your character than your comfort. Your relationship with God and your character are the only 2 things you’re going to take with you into eternity. How is God trying to perfect you?
God is at work in your life. I’ve seen Him powerfully at work within our church. He is at work even when we do not recognize it or understand it. But it is much easier and profitable when we cooperate with Him instead of working against Him. Why not seriously get alone with Him today and ask Him what He is up to in your life or in the life of our church. Why not decide to join Him? God never wants to waste a problem. Your heart is aching and you’ve experienced pain because of problems. Why let those problems have the last say, when God is ready to use those problems for good? Let’s not waste problems either. Let’s give them all to the One who defeated every one of them at Calvary!!! God used the awful means of a cross to bring salvation to each of us. Just think what He can do through the more insignificant problems that we face.
Joining Him…and hoping you’ll join…..
Pastor Steve