Solving Problems

Solving Problems

Introduction. (Job 14:1-6). Few of us have ever faced the kind of troubles that Job faced, but many of us have felt what Job expresses in vs. 1 -- Life is “full of troubles.”
These troubles come in different forms:

Health Problems. I knew of a lady who worked at a restraunt we liked in Kansas City whose son, through water, meat or some food he ate got a bacteria into his system that left him partially paralyzed!
Money Problems. A good brother that I knew in Birmingham was layed off his job after 20 years, only to learn that the retirement fund his employer was supposed to have been providing for him was mismanaged and totally lost!
Family Problems. A non-Christian friend I knew some years ago had a son who got tied up with drugs. Without the knowledge of my friend, his son actually on occasion sold drugs out of his house! The way that drug laws were at the time he faced the possibility of loosing his very home through seizure!

Being a Christian doesn’t take away such problems, but does the Bible offer us advise about how the Christian should try, either to solve problems or endure them? This evening let’s explore what the Bible says about solving problems.

I. Identify the Problem & Its Causes. This may sound obvious but we are not always so good at identifying the real cause of problems that we have. We often blame something or someone that is not the real source of the problem. Sometimes we identify the problem as one thing when it is in fact something else.

Example of Adam (Genesis 3:9-12). Was the poblem really Eve? She offered Him temptation, but his own desire was the problem!
1. Desire is the root of sin (James 1:12-15).
Example of Naomi (Ruth 1:19-21). In this text Naomi either recognizes God’s indirect control over all things or she (in her anguish) blames God when whe should not.
1. God indirectly controls life circumstances (James 4:13-15).
2. God allows time and chance to function (Ecc 9:11,12).
3. In this life we will have tribulation (John 16:33).

II. Determine if the Problem Can Be Solved & Take Measures to Solve It. Again, this may also sound obvious, but in many cases we use up a great deal of energy -- lose sleep and forfeit great contentment and happiness by wrestling with unsolveable problems.
Illustration. Leon Shimkin, a former general manager of Simon & Schuster, found himself frustrated over the regular routine of staff meetings. What generally happened was that problems were discussed haphazardly and complaints came up at each meeting with no solutions, no alternatives just frustration. Shimkin decided that from then on, any problems discussed at meetings had to be put in writing with four questions addressed: 1. What is the problem? 2. What is the cause of the problem? 3. What are all possible solutions? 4. What solutions do you suggest? The result was that by the time that this was done, often the porblems solved themselves or people came to realize that it wasn’t really the problem they thought it was.

Being a Christian doesn’t mean having to bear all problems.
1. The example of Paul using his Roman citizenship (Acts 22:22-29).
2. Paul’s instructions to slaves to become free, if possible (I Cor 7:20-22).
If we’re the cause of our problem we must have confidence that we can overcome.
1. No temptation is unbearable (I Cor 10:13).
2. The example of the unjust steward’s shrewdness (Luke 16:1-9). The example here is that of using ingenuity. We are often brilliant in worldly matters and foolish in spiritual matters.
  If we face spiritual problems we must have the confidence that we have it within us to solve such problems.
  Illustration. Behaviorial theorist Abraham Maslow did a study of characteristics of people noted for creativity. He observed seven characteristics which are interesting for Christians to consider: 1. Give up the past. 2. Stop worrying about the future. 3. Think about things life a child (i.e. as if seeing something for the first time). 4. Shut down self-criticism (not self-examination). 5. Be brave. 6. Persevere. 7. Maintain a positive self-image (Jesus didn’t die for garbage!)

III. If the Problem Can’t Be Solved Bear It As a Christian Should.

Many problems are out side of our control.
Job’s problems didn’t come from himself, nor could he solve them, but in bearing them honorably he attained respect in man’s eyes and was well pleasing to God.
Paul’s problems couldn’t all be solved. His “thorn in the flesh” was not removed (II Cor. 12:7-10). Persecution had to be endured. What do we do then?

Put things in perspective
1. Relative to others (I Peter 5:6-9). Note “same sufferings.”
2. Relative to eternity (Romans 8:18).
  Sometimes it is important in solveable problems as well. Dale Carnegie in his book How to Stop Worrying and Start Living suggests a three-step formula for solving worry problems: 1. Ask yourself, “what is the worst thing that could possobly happen?” 2. Prepare yourself to accept this if you have to. 3. Calmly proceed to improve the worst. In unsolveable problems this improvement can come from how we allow ourselves to view the problem (i.e. do we allow it to destroy us or not?)
Take comfort in God’s love & care.
1. The Lord will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5-6).
Focus on Heaven.
1. Press on towards the goal (Phil 3:12-14).