TURNING PROBLEMS INTO PROFIT

In the University of Christian life, Problems 101 is a required, compulsory course we all must take to qualify. One thing about problems, they are of a wide variety, they come in all shapes and sizes. Problems are a fact of life, if you don’t have any, check your pulse!

Jesus said: “In the world you will have tribulation”, Peter said: “Don’t be surprised when you have problems” but James surprises when he says: “Consider it pure joy, brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way (or you face trails of many kinds…).

The reason James can so boldly make the statement, to consider it pure joy when we encounter problems, is because he knows that problems have purpose. He knows that pain can be productive, pressure can produce and suffering can accomplish much.

Christians are a lot like tea bags. You don't know what's inside of them until you drop them in hot water. So the first thing trails do is to test our faith. Secondly our patience is developed and lastly our character is built.

Now that we know that trouble will come our way and be beneficial to us, what steps can we take to benefit from every negative situation in our life?

The first thing we must do when we run into a problems is to Rejoice! No, this is not a typing error. To James’ remark: “Consider it pure joy, brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way (or you face trails of many kinds…) can be added, I Thessalonians 5:18 which reads, "In everything give thanks for this is the will of God concerning you in Christ Jesus." We don't rejoice for the problem, we rejoice in the problem. Thank God because He can even take the bad in our lives and turn it around and bring good out of it.

Secondly put in a Request, in prayer, toward your heavenly Father. Pray for wisdom. James 1:5 says: “If you need wisdom—if you want to know what God wants you to do—ask Him, and He will gladly tell you. He will not resent your asking.” Wisdom is seeing life from God's point of view. Pray for wisdom to understand the problem.

Lastly Relax. Trust God to know what's best for your life. Co-operate with His purpose so you don't short circuit the process. That's what's called faith. James 1:6 says, “But when you ask Him, be sure that you really expect Him to answer, for a doubtful mind is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. Relax. Hand your problems over to God and let Him work it out.

If we R-R-Roar at our problems by diligently applying the three R’s, namely Rejoicing, Requesting and Relaxing our faith will be tested, our patience developed and our character built. Let us become mature Christians that turn Problems into Profit!