Grace

Life’s Difficulties, Life’s Personal Problems, Troubles In Crisis

April 16, 2009 on 5:27 pm | In Life's Problems | 23 Comments

Life's problems can certainly feel and appear overwhelming at times. I don't know what kind of personal difficulties or crisis you may be travailing through right now, however I do know that your troubles, problems, and difficulties are temporary. Whether your personal problems are related to financial difficulties, relationship problems, or other kinds of crisis related troubles, you can take heart, life's circumstances need not overpower you physically or emotionally. The next few moments you spend reading this may change your life, can you be humble enough to spend some time to gain some understanding?

Far too often we allow ourselves to get caught up in our crisis, we focus on our personal problems and the difficulties that life appears to be handing us and we become overwhelmed. The first step in changing life's difficulties is to alter your focus, stop focusing on what appears to be a crisis and focus on Jesus. Stop listening to the problems overtaking your thoughts, and start telling your problems how big your God is, and start allowing God's word to comfort you! Remember, I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go. (Genesis 28:15). Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, "I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU," so that we confidently say, "THE LORD IS MY HELPER, I WILL NOT BE AFRAID. WHAT WILL MAN DO TO ME?" (Hebrews 13:5-6).

The burden that you may be carrying may seem overwhelming to you at times, however you should heed Gods word from 1 Corinthians 10:13, You have been put to no test but such as is common to man: and God is true, who will not let any test come on you which you are not able to undergo; but he will make with the test a way out of it, so that you may be able to go through it. However, the burden is carried by an intention, remember God is working for your good and His Glory, (see Romans 8:28).

God is always at work in your life, as His word says in Jeremiah 18:6; "Nation of Israel, can't I do with you as this potter does with clay? Nation of Israel, you are like the clay in the potter's hands. We are all in the potters hands, God is always shaping, molding, and increasing us. He is constantly fine tuning us, like that of an precision instrument, similar to an arrow. He is preparing us for the blessing that He has waiting ahead of us, however without the proper preparation, we would not be able to manage it. Dear friends, do not be surprised by the fiery ordeal that is taking place among you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. (1 Peter 4:12).

When you know in your heart that God is working for your good and His glory, the stress of your difficulties will decrease. I know the plans that I have for you, declares the LORD. They are plans for peace and not disaster, plans to give you a future filled with hope. (Jeremiah 29:11). The problems in your personal life are actually building you up, strengthening you, and increasing your faith. And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. (Romans 5:3-5).

Everyone goes through difficulties and times of crisis in their life's, you are not going through the valleys of crisis by yourself. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. (Psalm 23:4). The world we live in is full of defining life experiences, the more constricted it gets, the more expansive we become. If we are focusing on Christ, we will be reassured by His words during our Life's difficulties. "These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." (John 16:33).

Often times your personal problems are at work for you, not against you, though they are fraut with adversity, they are endeavoring to refine your attributes. In Isaiah 54:17 it says; No weapon that is formed against you will prosper. Now look carefully at the scripture before it; "Behold, I Myself have created the smith who blows the fire of coals And brings out a weapon for its work; And I have created the destroyer to ruin. (Isaiah 54:16). God may allow things in your life to develop you into the Godly person He has intended for you to be, but also that you would grow in your faith and learn to trust Him. Even so doing, God is in control; The LORD told Satan, "Everything he has is in your power, but you must not lay a hand on him!" Then Satan left the LORD's presence. (Job 1:12). Now look at Luke 22:31-32; "Simon, Simon, listen! Satan has asked permission to sift all of you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your own faith may not fail. When you have come back, you must strengthen your brothers." You see life's problems are working to increase you, so that you may be used to be a blessing to others.

Life's problems will teach you how to control your emotions and to trust in the Lord. Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6). You will stop stressing out over life's personal problems when you fully accept the fact that God is in control and that He is doing a great work in you, for you, and to His Glory. You see it's your desire to be in control that makes you worry, life's troubles are teaching you to let go and put your faith in the Lord. For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:6).

God has you covered behind and before, (see Psalm 139), He is directing your steps, (see Proverbs 16:9), and He commands his angels to guard you, (see Psalm 91:11). Gods ways are better than our ways; "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," declares the LORD. "For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8-9). So rather than allowing your personal problems and your life's difficulties to overcome you, focus on Him. Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, so that at the proper time he may exalt you. Throw all your worry on him, because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:6-7).

We can not live in yesterday, nor can we live in tomorrow, so why do we so often worry about tomorrows problems, when tomorrow is not here yet? "And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? (Matthew 6:27). So never worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (Matthew 6:34). If you are focusing on the Lord, on what He thinks of you, and on His desires for your life you will let go of your worries, doubts, and fears. Our suffering is light and temporary and is producing for us an eternal glory that is greater than anything we can imagine. We don't look for things that can be seen but for things that can't be seen. Things that can be seen are only temporary. But things that can't be seen last forever. (2 Corinthians 4:17-18).

Often times it's our own inner battles that drive the stress and anxiety within us, we want control, but when we have it we make mistakes and then want God to bail us out. So why not just hand over your need for control now? That's right, let Jesus take the wheel, let Jesus light the path before you. Let go of your need for control, release, relinquish, and surrender it all unto Him!  "Come to me, all of you who are weary and loaded down with burdens, and I will give you rest. Place my yoke on you and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble, and you will find rest for your souls, because my yoke is pleasant, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30).

Then what? Then you can stop fearing, stop worrying about your life's problems. Consider how much better you would feel, on a daily basis, if you were free from worrying about your life's troubles and difficulties! He gives strength to those who are tired and more power to those who are weak. The people who trust the Lord will become strong again. They will rise up as an eagle in the sky; they will run and not need rest; they will walk and not become tired. (Isaiah 40:29-31). When you know that God is at work in your life, and the day of adversity comes, you can rejoice, knowing it will be beneficial to you. Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you are involved in various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. But you must let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing. Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to everyone generously without a rebuke, and it will be given to him. (James 1:2-5).

Now when you are facing life's personal problems, you know that your burdens may be shared by Jesus. You only need to reach out to Him, instead of crying about the problem, cry in the direction of the problems resolution. And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19). Lastly, if you have not accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior you can take this very moment to reach out for Him. Pray to the Lord with a willing heart, and say; "Lord Jesus I ask that you come into my heart, be my Lord and Savior, forgive me of my sins, and renew me in the blood that was shed for me. Amen.

You must first admit your weaknesses, in doing so you will be strong. And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. (2 Corinthians 12:9). See that? Power is perfected in weakness, the strength you need to press thru life's problems and difficulties are available to you by the gift of grace, just for the asking! I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13).

When you start your day, start it with faith, set the tone of the day expecting good things to happen, don't start your day overwhelmed with your troubles, expect breakthroughs and profess them in advance. Keep your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on the earth. (Colossians 3:2). Change your mindset, alter the way you are thinking, and change your focus, start believing that blessings are going to chase you down and overtake you! Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is fair, whatever is pure, whatever is acceptable, whatever is commendable, if there is anything of excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy-keep thinking about these things. (Philippians 4:8)

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. (Psalm 23:6).