Jesus said, “...In this world you will have trouble…” (John 16:33)
The Bible speaks
of the man named Job as one of the most godly individuals to have ever lived.
Yet he experienced a great deal of hardships through life. He began as a very wealthy man, who was
blessed with a big family and was widely honored throughout the land. However,
one day a messenger came and told him that his wealth was gone. While he was
standing there another messenger came to him and told him that his sons and
daughters had all been killed in a storm. Then not long after, his health was
taken as well. Meanwhile, instead of comforting him, his friends said that it
was all his fault that he was experiencing the suffering that he was. And his
wife told him to just curse God and die (probably most people would want to die
if they had a spouse and circumstances as he did). So Job said, “Man born of
woman is of few days and full of trouble” (Job 14:1).
It is natural to
consider all the struggles and hardships that this life throws at us and
naturally have a bad attitude about things!
Job could have very easily had a bad attitude given all that he went
through. Yet somehow in spite of all of Job’s loss and suffering, he was able
to maintain a proper perspective and an amazing attitude. How was he able to do
that?
Job embodied
seven principles for problem solving that not only can solve your problems but
also help to maintain a good attitude through it all. First, if you are
going to overcome the problems of life that come your way, you need to begin
with identifying what the problem is. Often, it can be easy to get
sidetracked with issues that are not the real problem, rather they are only symptoms
of the problem. The symptom might be stress that is beyond what you can
bear, but the cause is unrealistic expectations that others have placed on you
or that you have placed on yourself. The symptom might be marital strife but
the cause is a lack of communication. The symptom might be a lack of money to
meet your monthly expenses, but the cause is the desire to live beyond your
financial means. This could be the result of not budgeting or a lack of
contentment in the things that you do have (see Phil. 4:11-13). Thus, if you
truly want to solve the problems that you are wrestling with, you have to be
able to clearly identify what the root cause is.
The second
principle is to expect problems to happen. Now this does not mean that we should be all doom and gloom all the
time constantly thinking that everything is going to go wrong. Yet it is about
expecting problems in advance that way you can be better prepared to handle
them when they do come your way. In this, you may actually be able to prevent
problems because you are looking ahead to what possible problems could occur.
A certain college
student sent an email to his parents which read, “Flunked out of school and
coming home tomorrow. Prepare Dad.” After just a short while, this young man
received back a response from his mother: “Dad prepared. Prepare yourself!”
The former owner
of the Oakland Raiders football team, Al Davis said, “A great leader doesn’t
treat problems as special. He treats them as normal.” If you are working,
expect problems. If you are dealing with family, expect problems.
In every area of your life it is good to expect problems and rejoice when things go well. Yet even in the problems we can rejoice. James 1:2-4 NLT says, “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” So when you anticipate problems, you can be better prepared for them, not frustrated when they do come, and looking at them as an opportunity rather than a burden.
Third principle
of problem solving is to face it. Denying the
problem may feel good for a period of time. This is similar to the people
continuing to play the music on the Titanic. The music may have helped to calm
their nerves; but it was not going to prevent them from drowning. The simple
fact of the matter is that a problem exists, and it is impossible to solve if
we are unwilling to face it. Facing a problem is really about being willing to
do whatever it takes to overcome it.
Beth Moore said, “So that thing you were so excited about turned out to
be harder than you dreamed. Things that matter always are. Endure.”
A fourth
principle of problem solving is evaluation. We need to take time to examine the situation at hand. What is the
issue? Where did the problem originate? Is it of critical importance to
overcome? What would be the outcome if left alone? What potential does this
problem present? In other words, what benefits or opportunities can be acquired
by facing this issue? President John F. Kennedy was once asked how he became a
war hero. To which he responded “It is quite easy. Somebody sunk my boat!” The
greatest opportunities often spring from the greatest challenges.
Once you have
personally taken the time to evaluate the issue it is a good idea to enlist
help. How do other people who are closest to me view
the problem? What are possible solutions to this problem? Grenville Kleiser
said, “To every problem there is already a solution whether you know what it
is or not.” Odds are, someone knows what the solution is. And as
Christians, we know Someone who does know the solution to every problem. James,
Jesus’ brother said, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who
gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him”
(James 1:5). Therefore, what does God’s Word have to say about issues similar
to what you are going through?
Beyond that, God
often places people in our lives who can help us in our problems. So, how have
others been able to overcome this issue? Would someone be willing to help you
through the issue? As Christians, we are blessed with others who will do just
that. Meanwhile, we are called to do the same for others. “Carry each
other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal.
6:2).
Norman Vincent
Peale said, “Positive thinking is how you think about a problem. Enthusiasm is
how you feel about a problem. The two together determine what you do about a
problem.”
Sixth principle
in solving a problem, after you have taken the time to consider the situation
both by yourself and with the input of others, it comes time to determine
the best possible way to solve the situation. There was a certain woman who
was being tried for the murder of her husband. During the trial, a lawyer
asked, “What happened to your first husband?” “He died of mushroom poisoning,”
she answered. “How about your second husband?” “He died of mushroom poisoning
as well,” she said. “Well then, what about your third husband” asked the
lawyer. “He died of a concussion.” How did that happen?” asked the attorney.
“He wouldn’t eat the mushrooms. :)
So what is the
best possible solution to your problem? (And no, it is not to kill your spouse)
There is always a solution to your problem, it is just a matter of going
through the process that we have discussed in this article that can help you in
discovering that answer.
Lastly, move
into action. Focus on the task at hand. Carry out the solution in specific,
measurable, concrete actions that you can realistically do, one step at a time,
and in a timely matter. Ask the Lord to let you be flexible to adjusting the
planned solution and be open to the leading of the Spirit as you move forward.
Overcoming the
problems that arise can transform your life and possibly our world. Often this
will require removing any distraction that could hinder you. Procrastinating
about the problem is not going to solve it.
In His service,
Matt
(Portions from John Maxwell, The Difference Maker)
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