Living With Purpose by Matt Dobson

What’s your first thought when facing a problem? Do you try to avoid it, skip over it, or do you tackle it head on? In the middle of the obstacle, it seems the sun will never shine again. We ask ourselves, “Will this dark cloud ever leave?” Avoiding problems and obstacles when faced with them is a natural response for some. It doesn’t have to be this way. And sometimes you don’t have a choice because some problems or problem people just don’t go away, no matter how hard you try to avoid them. There is a philosophy to deal with such things. It’s the “I don’t believe in losing attitude”. Some people have ascribed to this formula so much it has become their life’s philosophy. We can liken this technique to the assertion, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Phil. 4:13). This means no matter how hard, we keep working at it and don’t give up. Most every problem can be overcome with the right thinking (positive thinking) and faith. For Christians, the primary fact is God is with you and in combination with Him;you have the power to handle anything.

So, the first thing to do about a problem is stand-up to it, accept it. Don’t complain about it. Only weak, negative thinkers take that route. Attack the issue by taking it to God. Don’t go through life living in “self-pity”. The Kingdom of God is within you (Luke 17:21). You can overcome any problem(s) when you have faith—faith in God and belief in yourself. A sure faith in God is the number one quality you need to possess. Anybody that wants to achieve, must believe. You must believe in yourself as something of worth. Have confidence in the One who created you. He’s also given you the abilities to handle problems. Understand there are others who are “for you”, that can help you, so believe in them too. Helping hands can always make a challenge smaller than it seems. All belief should be undergirded by a solid trust in the help of God.

Before he was crowned king, David of the Old Testament, was once so discouraged he was to the point of despair. “I’ll die at the hands of Saul”, he said. He was ready to succumb, to give in to his problem. “I might just as well go over to the enemy’s side, “he lamented. David had been trying to follow in the ways of God. But he was growing weary because King Saul wanted to kill him. At that critical moment, if only David had left the working out of his problems to God. If only he could have seen the last chapter of his life story he would have read: “David reigned over all Israel…forty years…and he died in a good old age, full of days, riches, and honor” (2 Chron.  29:26-28). God has a hopeful future for you beyond your cloudy days (Jer. 29:11). Your stress and worry concerning your troubles and obstacles can be relieved by trusting God (Isaiah 26:3).

Understand this about the devil—his strategy for defeating us is threefold: doubt, discouragement, and despair. To cause us to wonder if it would be just as well for us to give up and go over to his camp. Running away from your troubles is never the answer. It wasn’t for David. It isn’t for you today. There will be solutions to your problems as you fully surrender to the will of our heavenly Father. Consider these Five (5) steps in DealingWith Your Obstacles and Hindrances: 1) “Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him” (Psalm 37:5). Take God on as your faithful partner in your troubles. His way is best, 2) “…Have faith as a grain of mustard seed…nothing shall be impossible unto you” (Matt. 17:20). Rely on a life of faith in God and you can overcome anything in this life, 3) “My peace I give unto you” (John 14:27). This is God’s promise to you. As long as you are looking to Him, you can experience peace in the midst of the storm, 4) “I am with you always” (Matt 28:20). You are never by yourself in your troubles when you’re walking with God and acknowledging Him, 5) “I will never leave you, nor forsake you” (Deut. 31:6). God is ever present if we are willing to invite Him into our life. Turn your will and life over to Him and He will be your most loyal friend.

Now, take your Bible and your trouble and get alone with God. Read these verses out loud and claim them in Jesus’ name. Ask God to help you with what’s bothering you. If you are humble and sincere, I can assure you there will be a peace when you finish. And don’t be surprised if God brings some things to your mind. He may ask you to make adjustments in your life. This may be needed to align yourself with His Spirit.

Remember, while the apostle Peter kept his eyes fixed in faith on Jesus he walked on water unafraid. It was only when he looked at the tossing waves around him, did he falter and sink (Matt. 14:30). The moment you start to worry over a problem, fix your eyes on Jesus; put it all in God’s care. Hand it to Him. He can look ahead where you cannot and manage things. Those who trust in God and seek His Kingdom need not worry anymore. So, develop a spiritual and an intellectual acceptance of the truth of Christianity and put your faith to work in your everyday life. Seek out a church that will encourage your faith, attend it faithfully, and follow God’s will for you and your family.