Help! I Need Answers!

Randy Chapman

The title of this article expresses the feeling of many when they are besieged with one or more of life's problems. The answers they are seeking may be for why something is happening, when it will end, or what the outcome will be. For others it is a search for an answer as to why some injustice seems to go unchecked and unpunished.

So many are unequipped to cope with life's problems and the accompanying questions. That is because they are unprepared. Unprepared because they fill their lives with superficial activities and spend no time in study, meditation, and prayer.

Consider these two examples. Jesus was prepared for Satan's temptations because He had studied the Scriptures. Each temptation was answered with "It is written ..." (Mt 4).

David's writings in the Psalms help many in distress. What made this shepherd boy qualified to help so many? Let him answer. "Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day ... I have more understanding than all my teachers, For Your testimonies are my meditation ... I am afflicted very much; Revive me, O LORD, according to Your word." (Psalm 119:97,99,107, NKJV) Prepare yourself now for tough times ahead by meditating on God's word with prayer.

Do not expect all of your questions to be answered. Most Bible students, if asked where to find the Bible answer to the problem of pain and suffering, would answer with the book of Job. Yet, there is no pat answer given to the question in that book. Instead, God asked who was there to give advice to Him when He created the world. In other words, there are some things we might not be able to answer, but we can know that God is in control and cares.

Let us turn our attention now to what we can do when faced with difficult circumstances.

Be patient. Although we are encouraged to be persistent in prayer (Lk 18:1-8), we must also recognize that God answers prayers in His own way in His own time. Abraham was 75 when God promised to make of him a great nation (Gen 12) but was 100 by the time Isaac was born (Gen 21:5). Also, God sometimes gives a better gift than what was originally requested.

Maintain your integrity. Job was faced with several fierce trials. He lost his oxen and donkeys, his sheep and his camels, including their attending servants in three different but simultaneous raids. Then he lost his children and finally was attacked with physical ill-health. His wife confronted him asking, "Do you still hold fast to your integrity? Curse God and die!" (Job 2:9). Throughout the book Job upheld his integrity. His integrity involved his relationship with God. He loved God and lived for Him. He knew he was not without sin, but held his hope of salvation in God. His wife had decided God could not be trusted or He would not have allowed such to happen. Many blame God when trials occur and turn against Him. Set your heart on God and keep your hope in Him.

Trust in the Lord. The wise man wrote, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths." (Pro 3:5-6). The context of that passage promises blessings to those who place their confidence in Him with steadfastness. Those blessings include a long life, peace, favor with God and man, direction, health, strength, and full barns (abundance).

Pray with thanksgiving. Instead of worrying, Paul exhorts that we "be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." (Phil 4:5-7) Put it in God's hands, and let Him take care of it. Be thankful even when hurting. Besides, most of the things about which we are anxious never happen. 4421 Blacksnake Hill Rd. NE, Dover, OH 44622. 330 364-4942. chappy@tusco.net

 

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