How can I best cope with life’s problems? - Problems - TouchPoints

Psalm 56:3-4When I am afraid, I will put my trust in you. I praise God for what he has promised. I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me?

Psalm 61:2From the ends of the earth, I cry to you for help when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the towering rock of safety,

Isaiah 26:3You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!

Philippians 4:6Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.

At times our problems are too big for us to handle alone. We need someone bigger, wiser, and stronger to help us. God should be the first and primary source of help that we turn to. It is essential that we trust him and honestly communicate our worries and fears to him in prayer.

Psalm 119:24Your laws please me; they give me wise advice.

Proverbs 6:20-22My son, obey your father’s commands, and don’t neglect your mother’s instruction. Keep their words always in your heart. Tie them around your neck. When you walk, their counsel will lead you. When you sleep, they will protect you. When you wake up, they will advise you.

God’s Word is the best source of wise counsel to help us deal with our problems. While we all need to develop an increasing familiarity with God’s Word, we should also identify others with greater experience and biblical wisdom who can speak into our problems from Scripture.

Exodus 18:17-18“This is not good!” Moses’ father-in-law exclaimed. “You’re going to wear yourself out—and the people, too. This job is too heavy a burden for you to handle all by yourself.”

Galatians 6:2Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.

Godly people are a good source of practical assistance and advice in applying principles found in God’s Word.

Exodus 9:1“Go back to Pharaoh,” the Lord commanded Moses. “Tell him, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of the Hebrews, says: Let my people go, so they can worship me.’”

Mark 5:36Jesus overheard them and said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid. Just have faith.”

Acts 16:22-25A mob quickly formed against Paul and Silas, and the city officials ordered them stripped and beaten with wooden rods. They were severely beaten, and then they were thrown into prison. The jailer was ordered to make sure they didn’t escape. So the jailer put them into the inner dungeon and clamped their feet in the stocks. Around midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening.

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

Our problems don’t have to weaken our faith, praise, or joy. If our problems tend to derail our faith, our trust in God is too small. Seeking God’s solutions for our problems should enhance our faith, praise, and joy because we will wait and hope expectantly and then see him intervene for us. When God acts on our behalf, our faith is strengthened.