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Five Ways God Uses Your Problems

I. God uses problems to DIRECT you
Sometimes God must light a fire under you to get you moving. Problems often point us in a new direction and motivate us to change. Is God trying to get your attention?

"Physical punishment cleanses away evil; such discipline purifies the heart." (Proverbs 20:30, NLT)

Which can also be said:

"Sometimes it takes a painful situation to make us change our ways." (Proverbs 20:30)

II. God uses problems to INSPECT you
People are like tea bags... If you want to know what's inside them, just drop them into hot water! Has God ever tested your faith with a problem? What do problems reveal about you?

"My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience." (James 1:2-3, KJV)

Which can also be said:

"When you have many kinds of troubles, you should be full of joy, because you know that these troubles test your faith, and this will give you patience." (James 1:2-3)

III. God uses problems to CORRECT you
Some lessons we learn only through pain and failure. It's likely that as a child your parents told you not to touch a hot stove. But you probably learned by being burned. Sometimes we only learn the value of something ... health, money, a relationship ... by losing it.

"The suffering you sent was good for me, for it taught me to pay attention to your principles." (Psalm 119:71, NLT)

Which can also be said:

"It was the best thing that could have happened to me, for it taught me to pay attention to your laws." (Psalm 119:71)

IV. God uses problems to PROTECT you
A problem can be a blessing in disguise if it prevents you from being harmed by something more serious. Last year a friend was fired for refusing to do something unethical that his boss had asked him to do. His unemployment was a problem - but it saved him from being convicted and sent to prison a year later when management's actions were eventually discovered.

"Don't you see, you planned evil against me but God used those same plans for my good, ..." (Genesis 50:20, MSG)

Which can also be said:

"What man intended to harm me, God intended it for good." (Genesis 50:20)

V. God uses problems to PERFECT you
Problems, when responded to correctly, are character builders. God is far more interested in your character than your comfort. Your relationship to God and your character are the only two things you're going to take with you into eternity.

"... Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope..." (Romans 5:3-4, NIV)

Which can also be said:

"We can rejoice when we run into problems... they help us learn to be patient. And patience develops strength of character in us and helps us trust God more each time we use our patience until finally our hope and faith are strong and steady." (Romans 5:3-4)

Here's the point: God is at work in your life - even when you do not recognize it or understand it. But it's much easier and profitable when you cooperate with Him.

Every victory gives strength for the next struggle!!!

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