Are you having a problem in life?

Have you ever heard someone who is not a Christian ask questions or make statements such as, “If being a Christian is so great how come my friend who is a Christian is having such a tough time in their life. Surely if God is who you say then He knows about the problem and if He loves us so much He would fix the problem.”

Or maybe you are a Christian who is having problems and you catch yourself thinking, “I am a faithful Christian, but having a tough time living my life. I am living a disoriented life full of anguish and suffering. It's getting to be too much and I'm ready to throw the towel. Does God know about my problems and is HE still with me?”

Let’s address this type of question both for the believer and the skeptic friend of a believer who sees the problems they are having.

Some of the problems and trials in our lives are allowed by God in order to strengthen our faith and dependence on Him.

“Count it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.” (James 1:2-3)

“And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” (Romans 5:3-5)

"……and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." Hebrews 13:5

We need to remember that whatever we are going through as a believer is in God's knowledge. The late Dr. Donald Grey Barnhouse used to say that, "nothing can pass through the life of a believer, unless it passes through the 'will' of God."

God will never leave you in a situation beyond your bearing if you have accepted Jesus as your Savior. He will always provide a way out; "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." I Corinthians 10:13

God is faithful and will remain that way. He does not and will not, forget your love for Him, He will never forget the time when you accepted Him as your personal Savior. He remembers the work you have done for Him; "For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister." Hebrews 6:10

Whatever the problem and whatever the temptation, we know that God delivers us and in the end as His children we stand victorious; "And we KNOW that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

God's word tells us, that we KNOW -- not 'hope' -- that all things work together for good for His people.

Temptations, problems and troubles are all part of human life. But if you are a Christian, your battle with such things increases. Our only hope lies in Jesus and resisting Satan.

To give the devil a run for his money we have to resist him with all that we have; "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." James 4:7

God will sure answer your prayers and deliver you from the problems you are having. All this will happen at a time, ordained exclusively for you.

".......weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning." Psalm 30:5

Now, adhere and meditate on what Paul has to say in Philippians 4:8: "Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things."

It is also important to note that all of us have a lost friend or family member and they are watching you. If you are having problems in life you need to remember that how you react to or handle problems can be a powerful witness to those around you.

May God bless you and give you His 'peace'. Amen