Yet no matter how hard we try to avoid it and get the best possible help, problems are inevitable. No matter how hard scientists try to find a cure to a disease, a new one begins to evolve and starts an epidemic even within the safe confines of a first world country like the US (remember the Swine Flu virus). No matter how hard we work to earn a comfortable living, a financial crisis can hit us like an unexpected tsunami and bring us to the realization that financial security comes not from hard toil and genius alone. As leadership expert and author John Maxwell has rightly put it, “...in life, the question is not if you will have problems, but how you are going to deal with your problems” (Failing Forward, 2000, p. 5).
A theological perspective
Why do we encounter problems? If you believe in the existence of an Almighty Being who created the universe and all that is in it, you must delve deeper and go further by asking the all time favorite argument among Christians, Agnostics, and Atheists: “Why would a loving and all-powerful being allow problems, troubles, crisis, and suffering?” If I were God and I love my creation so much, wouldn't I solve all their problems? Shouldn't I provide what you need especially during times of crisis? If you start to side on the argument that an all-loving, all-powerful God doesn't exist or that He doesn't care because our world is full of pain and suffering, then you must also consider the ramifications if God were to solve all our problems, provide what we need all the time, and answer all our whims and requests. Consider a father who always gives his child what he wants and disallows him to experience pain, suffering, and the frustration that goes with growing up. Whenever he encounters a problem at school, daddy would always come to rescue him from his troubles with the teachers and his classmates. Would such a protective environment produce a hard working and emotionally stable young man? Would solving all of the child's problems for him instead of allowing him to go through the process of pain give him what he really needs to succeed in life? Personally, I believe that problems are allowed by God and even given, in some circumstances, for our benefit.
If you study the lives of successful men and women throughout the history, you would observe that most of them, if not all, went through some sorts of crisis at one point of their lives. Either they were born dirt poor or they went through a life defining setback or struggle that motivated them to later become who they are now known for. Personal finance author and lecturer Robert Kiyosaki acknowledges, “In my own life, I've noticed that winning usually follows losing” (Rich Dad, Poor Dad, 1997, p. 135). Abraham Lincoln failed twice in business, mourned the loss of his sweetheart at the age of 26, had a nervous breakdown the following year, was defeated for a congressional position four times, was defeated for a senatorial position twice, and at one time defeated for Vice President; yet later he became one of the greatest presidents America has ever elected (Roy B. Zuck, The Speaker's Quote Book, 1997, p. 140). R.H. Macy, founder of Macy's department store have tried five extremely different professions: whaler, retailer, gold miner, stockbroker, and real estate broker. All his business ventures failed and at one time even declared bankruptcy. Yet in 1858, Macy decided to give the retail trade another try. This time around he opened a fancy dry goods store in Manhattan and after only twelve months he was grossing $80,000 a year and the rest is history (John C. Maxwell, Failing Forward, 2000, pp. 167-169). Joseph, son of Jacob, was despised by his brothers, sold into slavery, thrown into prison for more than two years for a crime he didn't commit; yet in God's perfect time became the second most powerful man of the once mighty nation of Egypt. A.W. Tozer once said, “Whom God uses mightily, He first wounds deeply.” Crisis will make or break you. It is God's way of bringing out the best in people. At the same time, it could also break your spirit and bring you to a life of mediocrity and useless pain. The choice is ours.
I have encountered a lot of pressures, stresses, and problems in the past; but, I acknowledge that, so far, my greatest challenge is currently under process today. I'm at my third year of financial difficulties and career transition. Three years ago, my wife and I made a decision to make a huge financial investment involving a very large sum of money that, we believe, would reap bountiful rewards and dividends. After three years, my expected reward in the form of financial or material bounties hasn't come and it may never will. I must admit that, at times, I'm tempted to think that I may have made a wrong decision. That I should have invested the money elsewhere that is safe and risk free, a bank or a lucrative business, perhaps. But I believe with my whole heart that I did right thing and we will, indeed, reap our reward.
The year 2008 marked the start of a change in my career. I used to be involved in a booming manufacturing and export business that brought me a lot of prestige and travel abroad. However, business recently hasn't been doing well, which led me to change my career as a professional Operations Manager into a full time teacher and trainer of character values. However, this journey also had its challenges. I was led to work for a renowned training company early 2009 only to be let go five months later because my teaching style was not consistent with the company's methodology of training. I hope and pray that 2009 is the tail end of this challenging adventure.
Steps to deal with problems
With all these said as a premise to assert my discussion, allow me now to share to you from my personal experience some insights on how to deal with problems.
1. Have a right perspective of problems.
Firstly, thank God for the problem because it presents an opportunity for growth. Regard it as a price to pay for progress. See it as an opportunity to help and promote you to your next level of personal development.
2. Pray continually.
There are things that are within our control and there are things beyond our control. Problems like sickness, natural disasters, and relationships are oftentimes beyond our control and we could do nothing about it. However, what is within our control is to ask for God's help. Usually people do pray hard when they experience difficulty and expect in faith that God will respond and help them instantly in their predicament. I believe God can and will, at certain times, immediately respond to His children's prayer. However, all too often, I find that people stop praying when they feel that God is not responding. We tend to retreat when we feel that He's not listening. God is listening and He will respond in His perfect time. Like a wise and loving father who would purposefully delay or withhold his child's request, He knows when and if you are ready to take the responsibility of what you're asking. The key is to continue in prayer regardless if God answers according to your expectation. Thank Him for the problem and ask for the patience to endure and the ability to learn as the problem takes its course.
3. Take responsibility.
Do not pass the buck or point your fingers at others for your predicament. Its natural for us to blame others, even God, for our circumstances. Accept the problem as your own doing and responsibility and part of your destiny. Thinking in this manner will immediately cause you to plan and look for a solution.
4. Refocus on your goal and purpose.
Know your purpose and refocus on it. A setback may tempt you to change direction and lean towards what's lucrative or convenient. A sickness may paralyze you in your tracks and immobilize you from moving forward. A financial setback may lead you to look for another job. However, the question you must ask is, “will this decision add or contribute to my life's goal or purpose?” In my case, I believe that I have the ability to teach. And this is what I'll do as long as I'm able. I will not be sidetracked in doing other things or businesses regardless if I have money in the bank or not.
5. Modify your methods.
Problems sometimes occur when you're doing something methodically wrong. Ask God for wisdom and learn from your mistakes.
6. Try and Try again.
Setbacks can either paralyze you in fear thus making you afraid to make future risks. Don't give in to fear but take wise risks. According to John Maxwell, “Risk must be evaluated not by the fear it generates in you or the probability of your success, but by the value of the goal” (Failing Forward, 2000, p. 124).
I wish that I can honestly say that I have followed these principles with diligence throughout the past three years. I admit there were times that I have neglected them out of dismay and disappointment. However, these continually serve as my beacon, my guiding principles through the tough and challenging times.
Next week, I'll talk more about the painful process that I went through and how it connects to unleashing power in our spiritual and prayer life.
God bless your week.
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