Higher Perspectives | 5 Reasons God Permits Problems
- Chris Barber
- Aug 1, 2023
- 3 min read
Updated: Sep 26, 2023
The problems you face will either defeat you or develop you. Believe it or not, how the outcome is determined depends on how YOU respond to them. Unfortunately, most people fail to see how God wants to use problems for good in their lives. They react foolishly and resent their problems rather than pausing to consider what benefit they might bring. They’ll ask, “Why me, God?” instead of asking, “God, what is it that you are trying to get me to see in this hour? What is it that currently needs my attention?” Here are 5 reasons God may have permitted the problems you experience in your life.
Direction
God permits 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 allowing this situation to get your attention? Sometimes it takes a painful situation to make us change our ways (Proverbs 20:30).
Inspection
God permits 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 tested your faith by allowing a problem or two into your life? What do problems reveal about you? 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).
Correction
God uses problems to CORRECT you. Unfortunately, there are 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. It was the best thing that could have happened to me, for it taught me to pay attention to your laws (Psalms 119:71-72).
Protection
God permits problems to PROTECT you. A problem can be a blessing in disguise if it prevents you from being harmed by something more serious. I remember coming across a testimony from someone recently where this person 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. You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good... (Genesis 50:20).
Character Building
God permits 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 with God and your character are the only two things you're going to take with you into eternity; all of your earthly possessions will be left behind. 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 it until finally our hope and faith are strong and steady (Romans 5:3-4).
Final Thoughts | Higher Perspectives shift realities
Here's the point: God is at work in your life even when you do not recognize it or understand it. It doesn’t matter what it looks like, sounds like, or feels like. It doesn’t matter what others may say or think. He is ALWAYS working in your life. But it's much easier and more profitable when you cooperate with Him. Remember, the Scripture says For with God nothing shall be impossible (Luke 1:37). Bottom line: if you keep enough of the Word in your heart, you can make it through anything. Doesn't mean you won't have problems... but it does mean your problems won't have you. How you perceive your circumstances determines your ability to withstand. Higher perspectives bring about greater resilience.
If you know someone who could use this word of encouragement during a trying time, please be sure to share. Subscribe to the blog for more holistic advice, wellness tips and mindset coaching.
Chris Barber is a freelance writer and contributor to the blog. His desire is to write scripts and pursue his dreams of story telling. If you would like to contact Chris with an opportunity and or feedback, visit our Meet The Team page.
Commentaires