Monday, May 10, 2010

Problems 101

Problems are not always a “Bad” thing. For many of us they are a necessary part of the Learning process….

Problems (Stress) can in fact be great Motivators in our lives, for change and growth. The pressure of deadlines, budgets, and the demands of others can push us to accomplish something, or even become someone that would have been impossible without the Problem. (Would a shepherd boy like little David have ever been King without Goliath?)

Have you ever been to the fairground or a boardwalk and seen that game called “Whac-a-Mole”? It’s a table with about 16 holes in it, and this little mechanical mole sticks his head out of one of the holes for a second. You try to Whac it with a rubber hammer, and his head just pops up somewhere else…..

Life ever feel like a game of “Whac-a-Problem” to you?

You have a Problem that shows up over there.
You go and Whac-It, and it seems to go away.
But have you really Fixed it, or has it just moved somewhere else? It’s hard sometimes to know if you have solved a problem or moved a Problem…

Someone said once, “you never actually find a perfect answer to a problem, you just find the answer that has the least problems.”

Anticipating problems and stressful situations can be a huge part of dealing with them when they arrive, learning to Calm yourself when they arrive, letting God’s Peace sort of flood your soul…

“Nobody gets through life without difficult things happening. We all have to know how to handle crisis. My father used to say to me, “Whenever you get into a jam, whenever you get into a crisis or an emergency, and everybody around you is getting very excited,” he said, “You become the calmest person in the room and you’ll be able to figure your way out of it. Force yourself to be calmer than you feel.” Rudolph Giuliani

When you find yourself stressed over some problem, ask yourself this one question: Will this matter 5 years from now? If yes then do something about the situation. If no, then let it go.

Rule number 1 is, don’t sweat the small stuff. Rule number 2 is, it’s ALL small stuff.

And if you can’t Fight and you can’t Flee, learn to Flow….

You will only be remembered for the Problems you solve or the Problems you create. So choose today How & Why you want to be remembered.

I promise you this. Currents of favor and blessing will flow into your life the moment you choose to solve a problem for somebody else. (Acts 28:10)

The problems you help solve for others determines the problems God will solve for you. (Ephesians 6:8)

Problems should never be shared, discussed with people incapable of solving them.

Problems are a catalyst that can cause us to reach for others. You only call a dentist when your teeth hurt. You only call your lawyer about legal matters. Problems create relationship.

Problems can also drive us to The Lord.

Don’t curse them all, they are not All from the devil….

Push past the fear and the pain. Grow Through the Problem!

Deb & I are Praying for You!

Will you Pray for Us? …. Try to leave some feedback!

Check out the attached “Study Tool”

“Getting Through Life’s Problems.”

7 comments:

MaryMitchell said...

I love your "selah" and I feel like I'm back in CT., just good teaching for lifes lessons. Life is good here and we love the church we're still attending. I'm still praying that the Lord will save Chris and Carrie and family. Last Sundays preaching from Matt 15;22 gripped me so hard I could hardly speak. It seems as though I've prayed for their salvation for so long that I don't bring it before to the Lord much anymore. It should have been more intense pleading, than less even mentioning. I believe the Lord will save them, but I'm seeing the Lords coming as MUCH sooner these days and I'm longing to see them in His protection. We love y'al and ask for your continued prayer. I hope all is well with you and yours. Your picture Mark is wonderful. You're aging very gracefully! We'd love to see you..of course! My love to your mom and dad.
Mary

Bob A said...

Great Selah and blog study today PM.
They go hand in hand.

Over the past several weeks there has been a lot of discussion and teaching throughout the church from several preachers about "getting through the tough stuff". I'm sure it's because no matter who we are or how much we seem to have, we are all in life's race and in this race we all have troubles (John 16:33)..."but fear not for HE has overcome the world.

One of my favorite passages is Job 23:10...where Job speaking of his trials declares...."for when He has tested me I will come forth as GOLD". What a promise !!

Hosanna !

Bob A said...

Hey PM the last two day's Selahs were tremendous !! (they are always kind of tremendous actually).... They met the needs of my heart....No Limits and Determined. Thank you

They work so well with the blog this month...funny how that happens...I guess you know what you're doing.

But Hey all, in keeping with the Selahs and the blog I checked out a great companion DVD to Lee Strobel's "The Case For A Creator" we saw at church last year, called "The Case For Faith". Fantastic. (hey netflix warriors...it's under the "watch now section, you can see it now on your computer or TV).

It deals with the every day doubts the world has with Faith...How can there be only one way to God and How can there be a loving God in a broken world so filled with pain and suffering? Fantastic resource to strengthen your own faith as well as prepare you for those questions we get with all those we meet and want to share with (1Pet.3:15). It also touches on the fall of the faith of Charles Templeton, who started with Billy Graham and could have been one of the most effective evangelists of his time, who lost his faith and why.

A tremendous blessing!

Hosanna!

Karen B. King said...

I can't possibly tell you how much I benefit from receiving Selah. I am a Bible teacher of thirty years. Often I borrow a quote but I always give you credit!!! I'm so glad that Willie told me about you.

I love that you have a blog now!

Blessings,
Karen King
Columbia, SC 29209

BobA said...

WILLIE.......YOU ROCK !!

Willie... said...

LOL! Hey, Bob... actually, no, I don't. ;) (But I understand the sentiment.)

Karen, I am so glad that you are being blessed. When God puts good things in front of me, I just instinctively want to SHARE them. :) I also had no idea you were in Columbia SC! Kim and I were just there a couple weeks ago, visiting family!

Unknown said...

It's intersting your outlook on problems. As I read, I agreed they afford so many opportunities to grow in spirit and character, quests I have for my life until the end. Since my daughter and I were introduced to New Life we have undoubetedly been blessed with each visit. Your insight is truly God sent and promotes momentum to go after what you encourage but also enhances my constant dream to become a woman of character. I pray God's continued protection and blessing over you and your family's life. Your dedication and committment to the word is contagious and your methods, parental. If any of us were to stray away your teaching would be so embedded deep within that we must come back. I thanks God for you this morning. I will continue with you in growing in character.