When Problems Come Into Your Life

There is an old saying that says,

“When it rains, it pours!” Most of us have had seasons in life when that old statement holds true for us!

In Bible times, they didn’t have our modern-day conveniences that are tremendous blessings, yet serious inconveniences when they malfunction. We rely on so many appliances and modes of operation for our busy lives. One broken-down car can throw our entire lives into havoc! Add a leaky roof, malfunctioning alarm clock, and clogged bathtub drain to the mix, and we fully understand what the above statement means!

Even if our problems look different from those back in Bible times, there were times when people understood the feeling of being overwhelmed. 

Not every problem is one that comes from an attack thrown at us by Satan, or consequences from sinning.  Sometimes life is just life.  Even so, our emotions are real, and sometimes we’re just dealing with too many issues at once.

1 Peter 5:7 says, “Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”  Additionally, Psalm 94:19 says, “When the cares of my heart are many, your consolations cheer my soul.”

God knows there are times when we feel like we can’t handle anything else at the moment.  It’s in those times that He may want us to take the time to pour out our hearts to Him.  A flat tire on our car may sound trivial in the grand scheme of things.  Even so, our God who cares about even the little things may be waiting for us to tell Him all about it.  As Psalm 61:1-2 says, “Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer; from the end of the earth, I call to you when my heart is faint.  Lead me to the rock that is higher than I…”  Friends, we can talk to Him!

There is great news!  Beyond the things we consider trivial, we can also go to God for our greater needs!

There are times when Satan throws attacks our way!  He does put obstacles in our paths to harm us.  Humans seem to be more aware of our ability to approach the Lord when our trials are threatening, both physically and spiritually!

Our lives can be bombarded!  Marital problems, issues with our children, uncertainty in our places of employment, and inability to make ends meet are all situations with tremendous amounts of stress.  Health scares, terminal illness, the concerns of our aging or unhealthy mental states, and other physical matters are real and intimidating.  We believe these things are ok to take to the Lord, and how encouraging it is to know of His care!

Psalm 61:2-4 expresses the refuge and strength we can find in our God: “From the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I, for you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy. Let me dwell in your tent forever! Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings! Selah”

Psalm 91:1-2 reiterates Psalm 61’s message: “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

For those of us who are living for the Lord?  Proverbs 18:10 reminds of the safety we find in Him: “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.”

Have we been talking to the Lord about what’s happening in our lives?  Let’s not delay for another moment!  He cares!  He wants to share our burdens!  And He’ll offer us shelter when we bring them all to Him.