Problem Solving

Once a year in Vancouver in the two weeks leading up to Labour Day we have the PNE.  Live shows, lots of food, animals, games, and an exhibition hall where lots of new products are displayed that will "solve our household problems."  It might be a new mop or a new cleaning solution.  Bigger and better kitchen tools, new and improved cloths to wipe on this and that.  There are so many things and ways, it seems, to effectively fix problems.

We wish our relationship problems could be just as easily fixed with some new product we could pick up for a few dollars.  Many problems simply cannot go away until we become willing to let go of the thinking and believing that ties us to them. From God’s perspective, that involves a whole new focus around who we are and how we live our days. In the past we started with our fears, resentments and anxieties in mind. From there we chose reactions, bad attitudes and manipulative or addictive behaviours to try to get what we thought we needed.

As we come to know a loving God who makes all things work together for good we can begin to loosen our grip on broken life practices and open our hearts to the forgiveness God has for each of us.  As we are forgiven and healed, new light comes and leads us to the solutions we always longed to know.

You must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.  Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.  (Colossians 3:8-10 NIV)

In our new life with Christ, we are to train our minds to start with a “God focus” rather than a “me and my needs focus.” We remember that God is with us, making available to us a power greater than ourselves to restore us to sanity. We tell ourselves the truth that God has a way of life for us that is good and pleasing.  This life is very different from the life we’ve always known. We remind ourselves often that God’s way is better and we constantly prompt ourselves to surrender to God’s new way. We give up over and over again. 

And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.  (2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV)

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.  (Galatians 2:20 NIV)

As we trust God and rely on God to help us with our problems, we find that we have exactly the tools and the solutions we need to deal with any problem we may face.

©2014 Partners in Hope