Main Idea: In today’s study we will be going over the secret to a better life! But before we begin, on a scale of 1 – 10, How comfortable are you with problems? 1 being – “I hate and avoid problems. I wish they would just go away;” and 10 being – “I love problems and solving them. I want bigger problems.”
1 Who are the only people without problems? Ecclesiastes 9:5-6 (opens in new tab due to long verse)
Note: Have you ever been in a trial or difficulty and you say, “Oh I can’t wait till this is over and I just want to get out of this and move on and be free from trials and issues and problems”? The only people who don’t have problems in life are six feet in the ground; dead people.
2 Is there a purpose for our pain? 2 Corinthians 1:4
Note: Problems are opportunities. What are the opportunities you have now through the problem you’re facing? Would you rather pray for your problems to simply go away, or pray for the strength to overcome them? Aren’t we called “more than conquerors” through Christ in the Bible? These kinds of questions help us change our focus. By beholding, we become changed, so let’s take our focus off of self and put it on Christ. In the next 8 questions, we will be going over questions you can ask yourself in order to Change Your Focus!
3 Is this problem the end or is this the beginning? Exodus 14:11, Exodus 14:21-22 (opens in new tab due to long verse)
Note: As Moses led the children of Israel out of Egypt, Pharaoh’s army was getting close to them on one side, and there was a sea in the way on the other. How did the children of Israel see the problem they were facing? How did God see it? Was it the end of their journey, or one of their earliest steps?
4 Are you being buried in the grave or are you being planted in the ground so you can spring forth to new life? Proverbs 18:21
Note: How we word our problems can really make a difference in how we act. If we believe this is the end of our life and we’re dying, we’re going to act, feel, and live differently than if we believe we’re being planted and this is a new chapter of our life. I challenge you to have the belief and mindset that we’re just getting started.
5 Is this happening to you or is this happening for you? Psalm 119:71
Note: Notice the word “for.” Whatever the problem is, it’s happening for you, because there’s a lesson involved. What’s the lesson you can learn in the problem you’re facing?
6 Is God punishing you or is God answering your prayers? Gen 50:20
Note: Compare with Romans 8:28. No matter what happens, God is working things out for good for us and has our best interests in mind. What prayer is He answering through this problem?
7 Are you losing or are you gaining? Philippians 3:7-8 (opens in new tab due to long verse)
8 Are you failing or are you learning? Proverbs 24:16
9 Although you cannot change your circumstances can you choose your reactions? Deuteronomy 30:19
Note: In every circumstance, we can choose to react in a faithful way that brings life to our experience, or in a way that brings death. Which will you choose?
10 What are you grateful for about this situation? 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Note: This is an assurance that even the things which appear to be against us will work for our good. God wouldn’t have us be thankful for anything that would do us harm.
In Light of God’s Word…
Do you choose to look at problems in life the way God sees them, as opportunities rather than obstacles?
Is it your desire to run through your problems and conquer them in Christ, instead of running from them?
Offer:
If you’d like a system for documenting your problems and how God solved them so that you can have a testimony to share with others and help them solve their problems, check out the Live Your Calling: Daily Accountbook at → TheArmyofYouth.com/Accountbook
Need direction from God on how to solve the most pressing problems in your life? Learn how at DirectionFromGod.com