Facing Life's Problems
We face two kinds of life problems :
Inside Problems: we create
Outside Problems: others create
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Blaming is concealing!
Taking personal responsibility for our wrongs is an important step to improving and resolving a problem. Blaming others is our way of concealing our transgressions.
"He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, But he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion."
Proverbs 28:13.
If we acknowledge our wrongs, then we can clear up the wrong that has been done. We do this by telling God what we have done wrong and asking God to forgive us through Jesus Christ. If we partly blame others and excuse ourselves, then there remains no forgiveness.
There are at least four reasons for this:
1) We don't take personal responsiblity.
2) We stay proud.
3) We are deceived.
4) We never can resolve the situation.
If we think that worry is not that bad, then we rebel against God's instructions, "Do not worry." We are arrogant and think more of our thoughts than His. We often hide our sins under the excuse, "Oh, it isn't that bad." Proper confession can not be made when we don't see the depth of our sin.
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Inside Problems
The far majority of the problems we face in life are because of our own doing. We have done something wrong. We make a whole number of problems for ourselves by being anxious, lying, gossip, stealing, lazy, being selfish, etc.
From there we have two responses: either we will blame others or take responsibility for it. The third supposed possibility of half accept responsibility and half blame others is only a masked form of blaming others (see sidebar).
An Example of Lying
Lying is always an inside problem. Lying about something produces anxiety due to our fear of getting caught. Do you realize that until we straighten out that lie, it will add to our regular anxiety in life?! The stress just piles up.
Our joy in life will be put on hold until we humble ourselves, come back to this issue and take responsibility for it. The effect of our sins will haunt us until we face up to them. We give glory to God for having Jesus provide a place where our sins can be forgiven!
Outside Problems
Other problems causing worry come from sources outside ourselves, not necessarily having anything to do with what we have or have not done. We might think of a child being abused by a parent, uncle or some bully. We might think of some strange disease or some accident, government or family persecution. For example, how would you respond if you were fired at work because you would not compromise and lie on presenting a certain product to others?
Sometimes outside problems mix with inside problems.
We can respond to unjust situations wrongly and mix outside problems with inside problems. Although others have done wrong, our bitter and critical responses only amplify this wrong. In this age of grace God calls us to act humbly and gracious just like Jesus. We are to let God take whatever revenge that is necessary.
The scriptures regularly speak about the righteous suffering. We can think about Jeremiah who suffered under the judgment of the hardened Israelites. Jesus mentioned this issue in Matthew 5:10-12,
Special assignment
Go through Hebrews 11 and list the difficulties these men and women of faith had to face. Then list the rewards.
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Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when men cast insults at you, and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, on account of Me. Rejoice, and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
The testimony of how a mother handled a tragic situation.
Sue Gregg was watching her child in front of her house when some reckless driver came by, hit and killed her child. The mother of course was crushed in heart. But she determined to trust God even for this horrible accident. In the end she has was able to use the money gained from that accident to start a journey on teaching nutrition. Today her books on how to cook healthy meals are being used widely. The wisdom God gave her is bringing life to others.
Let's see why God sometimes brings these hardships into our lives.. Next page
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