Stepping Stones: Make Friends With Your Problems

Transformational Tip
I know, this title might appear trite and even silly. But it's the truth and it works!
Though many things may feel random and wrong because of all your problems, stop for a moment and remember that your God is sovereign over everything...and that He can "fit everything into a pattern of good".
God would rather teach us without suffering, heartache, and challenge. That is what He tried in the Garden of Eden. Unfortunately, we do not learn as much as we need to that way. So God has to use other methods to catch our attention, change our focus or path, or show us what is destructive to us. To Disciple us! Our problems are opportunities to show what we have learned. After I practiced in baseball a lot, I wanted to go against good competition to show how much a I learned and how good I was. Same in medical school as I worked up a patient and studied, I was excited to present to the attending and get grilled so I can show my growth as a psychiatrist. A "problem" is really that better competition or test we take to show our growth....and areas we still need to work on. The best way to befriend your problems is to thank God for His care for you as He gives you an opportunity to show the work you have put in and the resultant growth in Him... or His willingness to show you areas where He wants to grow and equip you. This simple act will open your mind to having God's benefits.... Developing the Mind of Christ...flow from your problems.
Today, look at your problems. If you are thankful and handling them, then you are preparing well...putting on the armor, getting your confidence from God, and letting the Lord lead into battle. If you are struggling and not thankful or understanding your problems, look at how you are preparing for your tests and where you are getting your confidence. Heart exam time.

Prayer
Dear Father,
I am overwhelmed with life's problems...they are mounting such that I cannot see over them...at times I am almost paralyzed with fear. It's hard at times, but I want to thank You for these problems. I do not expect You to remove these problems Lord...but I do pray that You strengthen, teach, and show me though them and help me understand You make good come from this bad. Help me understand and develop the disciplines of training to succeed in these opportunities for growth, confidence building in You and Your strategy for me, and faith in Your character, promises and plan for my life. Let each problem show me something Lord...transforming me little by little into the masterpiece You have created me to be. In Jesus' transforming death and name I pray, AMEN

The Truth
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Romans 8:28
but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.
1 Corinthians 1:23-24
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.
And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.
1 Peter 5:6-10
As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.
Genesis 50:20