1. It may be that our sin is the source of our problems.
James 1:13-16 (NASB) Let no one say when he is tempted, I am
being tempted by God; for God cannot be tempted by evil, and He Himself
does not tempt anyone. (14) But each one is tempted when he is carried
away and enticed by his own lust. (15) Then when lust has conceived, it
gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death.
(16) Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.
2. It may be that Satan is the source of our problems.
1 Peter 5:8-9 (NASB) Be of sober spirit, be on the alert.
Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone
to devour. (9) But resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same
experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are
in the world.
3. It may be that God is the source of some of our problems.
John 9:1-3 (NASB) And as He passed by, He saw a man blind from birth.
(2) And as His disciples asked Him, saying, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man
or his parents, that he should be born blind?" (3) Jesus answered, "It
was neither that this man sinned, nor his parents; but it was in order
that the works of God might be displayed in him."
4. Far more important than the source of our problems is our response
to our problems.
1. God uses problems to direct us.
Proverbs 20:30 (NASB) Stripes that wound scour away evil, and strokes
reach the innermost parts.
2 Corinthians 7:9 (NASB) I now rejoice not that you were made sorrowful, but that you were made sorrowful to the point of repentance; for you were made sorrowful according to the will of God, in order that you might not suffer loss in anything through us.
Ask yourself this: Where is this problem leading me? A problem never leaves you where it found you.
2. God uses problems to inspect us.
Deuteronomy 8:2 (NASB) And you shall remember all the way which the
Lord your God has led you in the wilderness these forty years, that He
might humble you, testing you, to know what was in your heart, whether
you would keep His commandments or not
James 1:2-4 (NASB) Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, (3) knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. (4) And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
Isaiah 48:10 (NCV) I have made you pure, but not by fire, as silver is made pure. I have purified you by giving you troubles.
Ask yourself this: What do problems reveal about me?
3. God uses problems to correct us.
Psalm 119:71 (NASB) It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I
may learn Thy statutes.
Psalm 119:71-72 (TLB) The punishment you gave me was the best thing that could have happened to me, (72) for it taught me to pay attention to your laws. They are more valuable to me than millions in silver and gold!
Hebrews 12:7 (NASB) It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline?
Ask yourself this: What is the problem teaching me?
4. God uses problems to protect us.
1 Peter 3:17 (NASB) For it is better, if God should will it so, that
you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong.
Genesis 50:20 (NIV) You intended harm to me, but God intended it for my good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.
Ask yourself this: How is the problem protecting me? What is being prevented?
5. God uses problems to perfect us.
Romans 5:3-6 (NIV) Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings,
because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character;
and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God
has poured out His love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has
given us. You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless,
Christ died for the ungodly.
Ask yourself this: How can I grow from the problem?