How To Solve Problems – Part 5

In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps. Proverbs 16:9

Fifth, don’t just see the problem, look for the opportunity. When President John Kennedy was asked how he became a war hero, he smiled and quipped, ‘It was easy. Somebody sunk my boat!’ While it’s true that certain individuals have a vision and pursue it, many times adversity paves the way to success. This was the case for a man whose small business was failing: ‘I was paying a sheriff five dollars a day to postpone a judgement on my small factory. Then came the gas man, and because I couldn’t pay his bill he promptly cut off my gas. I was in the midst of certain very important experiments, and to have the gas people plunge me into darkness made me so mad I at once began to read up on gas technique and economics, and resolved I would try to see if electricity couldn’t be made to replace gas and give those gas people a run for their money.’ That man was Thomas Edison, founder of General Electric. Problems are wake-up calls for creativity. If you choose to wake up, and get up, problems will prompt you to use your God-given abilities, rally your resources, and move forward. The truth is, without certain problems we would end up in the wrong place, with the wrong people, doing the wrong thing. ‘A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.’ Out of pain comes purpose, and out of devastation comes direction. So talk to God about your problem; let Him show you the potential it holds and what He has in mind for you.

Prayer
Heavenly Father, as You do, help me see problems as opportunities! In Jesus’ Name, Amen