You Don’t Have Problems (and don’t laugh)

 

 

Sometimes life just happens.  When it does, we’re prone to ask “why?

Why me?

Why this?

Why now?

These questions, though very human, aren’t always the best questions to ask when life throws us a curve ball.  A better question is “How?”

How does God want to use this in my life?

How does God want to use this in the lives of those around me?

How does God want to show Himself to be God in this circumstance?

Last Thursday I taught at the Crossline church weekly Bible study, as I do each week.  This fall we’re studying the life of Gideon.  I challenged us to see any problem we face this week not as a problem, but as an opportunity—an opportunity to see God work in us, in those around us and in our world. Much like Gideon, who faced tremendous hardship, his “problem” became an opportunity to see God show up. And so can ours.

In Thursday’s talk I read a story about Bill Bright, the founder of Campus Crusade for Christ, written by his son, Brad; it was the “ah-ha” moment in Brad’s life.

When a young reporter asked Dr. Bright to share a problem he faced that the average Joe Christian can relate to, he responded with quiet confidence, “I don’t have any problems”.

“Dr Bright, don’t over-spiritualize.  We all have problems.”  Suppressing his frustration, the reporter repeated the question several different ways, always receiving he same response.

Finally Dr. Bright looked him directly in the eye and said “Young man, you need to understand something.  I am a slave of Jesus. When you understand this, you will realize you don’t have problems.  All that’s left are opportunities to see the Master work.”

Wow. Talk about inspiring! But I’m no Bill Bright.

On Saturday morning I woke up to a problem…or rather, to an “opportunity”.  While we slept peacefully in our beds, strong winds shattered our patio table and uprooted two giant 40 foot trees.  The sight made us sad.  We loved those trees.  And it was a mess – an expensive one, which came only a week after my nine-year old car needed $1800 in repairs.

As I gazed at the unexpected disaster, realizing we were the only family in our neighborhood with any damage at all, I was tempted to ask “why”?  But I didn’t.  Instead I asked “how?”

How does God want to use this “problem” as an opportunity to help me grow? Or show Himself real to a watching world? Or use me in ways I would never have imagined?

When I look at my “problems”—big or small—in light of this truth, I find hope in knowing I really don’t have problems, at least not the way the world defines them.  I have opportunities to see the hand of God.

What problem in your life could be an opportunity to see God work in you?  In your marriage? In your family?  In your work, or friendships, or community?

Don’t ask “why?”

Ask “how?”

Your biggest problem just may be your biggest opportunity.

 

I would love hear how your “problem” became an “opportunity”.  Click on the comment button below to share your story and encourage others.

 

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(Bill Bright’s excerpt taken from My Life is Not My Own, Regal 2010)