Solving Problems: 2

‘The Lord is my strength and my shield.’ Psalm 28:7 NKJV

Second, you must identify the real problem. Sometimes doctors can cure you, other times they prescribe medication enabling you to live more comfortably with your problem. But first they have to diagnose what’s wrong.

Philosopher Abraham Kaplan makes this distinction between problems and predicaments: ‘A problem is something you can do something about. If you can’t do something about it, then it’s not a problem, it’s a predicament. That means it’s something that must be coped with; something that must be endured. When you treat a predicament as a problem you can become frustrated, angry, and depressed. You waste energy and make bad decisions. Then when all your attempts fail, you give up and see yourself as a victim.’

Here’s an example: you and a friend are working on a project but you’re a ‘morning person’ and she’s a ‘night person’. That’s a predicament. You can’t change it. You can’t change the way people are wired internally. And if you try, you and your friend will experience lots of conflict and there’ll be no resolution. However, your difficulty in finding ways to spend time together on the project because of your different bents is a problem, and that can be solved.

And here’s another thought: sometimes God will deliver you from a bad situation and other times He will use it to develop your character and make you more like Christ. Yes, He can turn your sigh into a song! David said, ‘The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices, and with my song I will praise Him.’ (Psalm 28:7 NKJV)

SoulFood: Isa 40:9–11, Isa 42:1–4, Ps 18:31–35

word4today an adaptation of The Word For Today is authored by Bob and Debby Gass and published under licence from UCB International Copyright © 2020

Today’s Readings

Isaiah 40:9–11 ()

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9   Go on up to a high mountain,
    O Zion, herald of good news;
  lift up your voice with strength,
    O Jerusalem, herald of good news;
    lift it up, fear not;
  say to the cities of Judah,
    “Behold your God!”
10   Behold, the Lord GOD comes with might,
    and his arm rules for him;
  behold, his reward is with him,
    and his recompense before him.
11   He will tend his flock like a shepherd;
    he will gather the lambs in his arms;
  he will carry them in his bosom,
    and gently lead those that are with young.

Isaiah 42:1–4 ()

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42:1   Behold my servant, whom I uphold,
    my chosen, in whom my soul delights;
  I have put my Spirit upon him;
    he will bring forth justice to the nations.
2   He will not cry aloud or lift up his voice,
    or make it heard in the street;
3   a bruised reed he will not break,
    and a faintly burning wick he will not quench;
    he will faithfully bring forth justice.
4   He will not grow faint or be discouraged
    till he has established justice in the earth;
    and the coastlands wait for his law.

Psalm 18:31–35 ()

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31   For who is God, but the LORD?
    And who is a rock, except our God?—
32   the God who equipped me with strength
    and made my way blameless.
33   He made my feet like the feet of a deer
    and set me secure on the heights.
34   He trains my hands for war,
    so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
35   You have given me the shield of your salvation,
    and your right hand supported me,
    and your gentleness made me great.