Problems

How can I focus on pleasing God when I’m trying to deal with my own problems and obstacles?

God’s Response

“Don’t worry about a thing,” David told Saul. “I’ll go fight this Philistine!”“Don’t be ridiculous!” Saul replied. “There is no way you can go against this Philistine.” . . .But David persisted. “I have been taking care of my father’s sheep,” he said. “When a lion or a bear comes to steal a lamb from the flock, I go after it with a club. . . . I’ll do it to this pagan Philistine, too, for he has defied the armies of the living God! The LORD who saved me from the claws of the lion and the bear will save me from this Philistine!” 1 Samuel 17:32-37

When your own problems and obstacles consume you, you will give in to fear —that you will fail, that you will let others down, and that God will not help you when you most need it. Fear will tempt you to focus on the size of the problem rather than on the size of your God. When you focus on God first, you will see him fighting by your side.

God’s Promise

You belong to God, my dear children. You have already won your fight with these false prophets, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world. 1 John 4:4