solution

I don’t know about you but it seems like the past several months have just been extremely trying for several people I know. I’ve seen my share of health issues and job concerns. I’ve listened to concerns about finances and relationships. All I could do in each situation is remind my friends of the goodness of God’s love and grace and encourage them to keep going on.

I suppose I have a unique perspective because I’ve certainly had my share of difficulties at various times in my life. God taught me so much through my various trials and its those hard learned lessons that I can now share with my friends and loved ones and, perhaps, give them some hope during their trials. It also helps to keep me grounded and reminds me that, as Christians, none of us are immune from trials. It’s not a matter of if, but when.

When I am at the end of my rope and don’t know what else to do, it helps to remember these things:

Recognize Gods refinement in our lives: Just like refining gold or silver, God continually molds and develops us into his image. Sometimes the refining is painful and hurtful, but it always ends in a beautiful, shiny creation. We have to trust the Lord during the refining process.
Look for righteousness more than solutions: I am preaching to the choir with this point. I know that I always tend to search constantly for a solution and worry myself beyond measure. Sometimes, I just need to stop. I need to take a breather from searching “how” and realize that God already has the solution. It’s just that HIS timing isn’t always in sync with my timing.
Remember it is not permanent: While trials are inevitable, they’re only temporary. It may seem like your trial is lasting forever and that you can’t take any more, but it will end.
Recommit to full surrender: Sometimes, what we are experiencing is a conflict between what God is directing us to do and what we stubbornly refuse to do. It often helps to surrender our full life and will to God and allow him to fully direct our paths, not fight HIM the entire way.

As difficult as it is, always remember that you are one of God’s Jewels and that God’s refining produces gems with immeasurable beauty.

For You have tried us, O God; You have refined us as silver is refined. Psalms 66: 10 (NIV)

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I think there are times in life where it just seems like the hurt and the pain are unbearable. Sometimes, the hurt is because of mistakes we’ve made ourselves. Sometimes the hurt may be for loved ones or friends. Whatever the circumstances, there are those times in our lives when we tend to doubt the old phrase that “HE never gives us more than we can bear.” I know there have been plenty of times in my life when I thought I couldn’t bear any more, but somehow by the Grace of God, I’ve persevered.

I know when I have been faced with those times in my life, I often feel defeated and hopeless. I think that’s only human nature and, most likely, the way we all feel during those tough times. I know, for me, the reason I feel so poorly during those times is because I dwell on the problem and not the solution. I tend to worry about how I could have done things differently; how I could have prevented what has happened. I say to myself, “If only I had done this, then this other situation wouldn’t have happened.” “If only I had not made this poor decision, I wouldn’t be where I am.” On and on I go and I find myself spending every waking moment dwelling on the problem and not the solution. I spend all my waking on energy on the past.

I’ve beaten myself up over and over again for different events in my life that I wish I could have changed, but I can’t change what HAS happened. I can only work to change what WILL happen, with God’s help and guidance. I’ve learned to change my perspective and only glance at the problem while gazing at the Problem-Solver.

What are your going through right now in life? Do you find yourself glancing and dwelling on the problem? Instead, try only glancing at the problem and gazing at the Almighty Creator.