How can I anticipate problems and prepare for them? - Problems - TouchPoints

John 16:33“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

1 Peter 4:12-17Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world. So be happy when you are insulted for being a Christian, for then the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you. If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying into other people’s affairs. But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name! For the time has come for judgment, and it must begin with God’s household. And if judgment begins with us, what terrible fate awaits those who have never obeyed God’s Good News?

1 John 3:11-13This is the message you have heard from the beginning: We should love one another. We must not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and killed his brother. And why did he kill him? Because Cain had been doing what was evil, and his brother had been doing what was righteous. So don’t be surprised, dear brothers and sisters, if the world hates you.

We cannot know what form our future problems will take or when they will come, but we should not be surprised when they do come. As unexpected as certain problems may be, they are no surprise to God. Deciding not to be surprised and to remain confident in God is great preparation for actually dealing with our problems.

Colossians 2:6-7Now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.

2 Timothy 1:13-14Hold on to the pattern of wholesome teaching you learned from me—a pattern shaped by the faith and love that you have in Christ Jesus. Through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us, carefully guard the precious truth that has been entrusted to you.

James 1:2When troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy.

Jude 1:20-21You, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God’s love.

Realize that problems are inevitable; they will come. So the question is not, “Will problems come?” but “What will I do with problems when they come?” Don’t discount the role others can play in dealing with your problems and be ready to help others with theirs too. Make it your ongoing goal to rely on God whatever you are facing.

Ephesians 6:10-12A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

We can best prepare for life’s problems by living a life of faith, love, obedience, and prayer. Then we will be strong with God’s power. If we go onto life’s battlefields already equipped with God’s spiritual armor, we will more quickly and easily win the battles that our problems bring. The heat of battle is no time to be looking for armor or reading a manual about how to use it. Take time to practice using each piece of the armor God’s Spirit has provided.