A problem ceases to be a problem when it does not have the ability to take away our joy. A problems size is determined by how much it bothers us emotionally. The real problem is actually how we handle the problem not the problem itself. Problems are like a time bomb. If the time bomb is defused it no longer has the power to destroy.
We will always have problems in this life. We will also have rain in this life. Just as we can’t stop the rain likewise we can’t stop problems that come our way. The good news is that there are houses and buildings we can live in so the effects of the rain will not impact us. Likewise Jesus is our house we live in and the problems in life can no longer impact us.
Without accepting Christ as our savior we cannot overcome any problems in our life. Our problems will dominate us. But when we ask Christ into our hearts nothing can crush us because nothing can crush Jesus. John 16:33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
Jesus has given us two very powerful truths in the verse above. The first truth is that problems and tribulation will come. We do not come to it but it finds its way to us. Why? Because we are in a fallen world. We cannot run, hide or avoid problems. Also it does not matter how rich or poor we are problems will come. How do we escape this? Is there any hope? Yes, When Jesus died on the cross he defeated all the problems you will ever face. What I mean is no problem will crush and defeat you.
The second truth is we can be of good cheer because Jesus has overcame all of our problems. What does this mean? Problems no longer have the power to take our joy. No devil in hell or no person has the power to take our joy. John 16:22 Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you.
I remember many times in the Philippines watching egret birds sitting on the backs of carabaos. I would think, “does that irritate the carabao?” But the carabao are never bothered by the birds. Sometimes these birds will eat bugs and tics on the carabao. For me I could not stand a bird landing on my shoulder pecking away at me but the carabao doesn’t mind it. These birds would be a problem for me but not the carabao. Likewise problems are only a problem if it bothers us!
The way problems impact us are not actually the problem itself but the fear, worry and stress it carries. It’s the fear, worry or stress of the problem that is our battle. Example, when we get sick we come under fear, worry and stress of dying from it. When we have a financial problem we come under fear of losing everything. When we have family problems we come under stress of losing our families .
Good news! Jesus has totally dismantled and defeated all our fears! It does not matter how big our fears are just one small rock can defeat all your Goliaths. Just one promise in God’s word is enough to defeat your Goliaths.
2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
Psalms 91:5-7 You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day, Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, And ten thousand at your right hand; But it shall not come near you.
It’s not Gods will for His children to be under fear. When we are afraid of losing everything Jesus says, “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.( Luke 12:32).
When we are afraid of drowning in a problem Jesus will call us to walk on water. We can all walk above the problems and above the storm as long as we don’t take our eyes off of Jesus. Matthew 14:30-3 But when he(Peter) saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”
And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
The key for us to overcome all our problems is faith in Christ! We must completely abandon fear and trust God with our whole heart. Trusting Jesus is how we destroy fear in our lives. Why do we trust God? Because He is good. He will never let us down, deceive us, misguide us or do us harm. Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Don’t Worry Be joyful!
What also gives problems power over us is worry. Worry is expecting something bad to happen that has not happened yet. Worry is a waste of time, energy or emotions. It does not add anything productive in our life. It occupies our minds by “what if?”
Luke 12:25-26 Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?
Notice in the verse above how worry does not add any good thing but only deducts good things from our lives. Worry is not wisdom. It can’t prevent bad things but only plagues us emotionally. Worry says, What if ? What if ? What if? Have you ever been around people with a “what if” disease? They can’t do anything productive because of worry? Worry is the opposite of faith it’s unbelief in God. We are not created or designed by God to worry but only to have faith in God. The root of worry is grounded into our inability to see the goodness of God. When we understand He cares for us all our anxiety vanishes
1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
The good news is that God gives us the antidote or cure to all our worries. What is this cure? It’s Prayer!
Philippians 4:6-7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
The reason this is good news is because we don’t need countless hours of counseling. We don’t need to be on medication. We don’t need methods or formulas to be free from worry. Prayer is our most powerful solution to break free from this.
Don’t Stress But Rest
The number one reason we live under stress is because we live under demand instead of supply. Many times we misunderstand the Bible and view it as bunch of rules that we must fulfill. What ends up happening is our ministry and relationship with God becomes stressful. Yes we love God but it’s because He first loved us ! Notice the supply in this verse, 1 John 4:19
We love Him because He first loved us. Yes we preach the gospel but it’s because we first receive the power to do so. ( see Acts 1:8)
Do you see the supply of grace in the scriptures?
When we accept Christ into our life we are promised that He will supply every need. Philippians 4:19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Not only will our Father in heaven provide financially to us it’s much more than that. If we allow He will supply to us everything that life demands from us. He supplies strength to overcome any obstacle. He will supply wisdom to make good decisions. He supplies confidence and boldness to become a great leader. There are no limits to Gods supply!
This is what it means to rest in Christ! We live in constant supply. Matthew 11:28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Thank you Lord Jesus💓💓💓💓
Amen
There are times in my life that problems bothered me so much that I couldn't sleep at night. All I could do is just cry to the Lord. Maybe because, we are in our human nature. We will be worried, sad, etc ... But what makes me feel secure is when I remember God's word in Jeremiah 29:11. That way I felt relieved.
Amen 🙏 hallelujah The Best Word of God 🙏🙏
Amen