12 FOUNDATION STONES—CLASS 11A THREE STEPS TO VICTORY OVERCOMING PROBLEMS, PART 1.1 ------------------------------- Introduction ------------------------------- > Difficulties are common to all Among the parables that Chinese teachers use is the story of a woman who lost an only son. She was grief-stricken out of all reason. She made her sorrow a wailing wall. Finally she went to a wise old philosopher. He said to her, "I will give you back your son if you will bring me some mustard seed. However, the seed must come from a home where there has never been any sorrow." Eagerly she started her search, and went from house to house. In every case she learned that a loved one had been lost. "How selfish I have been in my grief," she said, "sorrow is common to all." ---------------------------------------- Section 1: The Ups and Downs of Life ---------------------------------------- > Be happy God is not a sad God!—He's a happy God, Who wants you to be happy too. The Bible says, Psalm 144:15—Happy are the people who are in such a state; happy are the people whose God is the Lord! Even though we all face difficulties and problems from time to time, we have so much to be happy about! We have solutions, because we know the great solution-giver: Jesus! > Battles are inevitable! Even though the Lord wants us to be happy, there are times when it isn't so easy. Some people think that as soon as they receive Jesus they're never going to have any more problems and things are going to go real smoothly.—But getting saved doesn't bring complete relief from all problems and struggles. There's a saying: "There's no testimony without a test, there's no triumph without a trial, and no victory without a battle!" Jesus bled and died for you on the cross to save you, and won the battle for eternal life for you. But when it comes to day-to-day living, we all have some battles to fight! What if a soldier said, "I've joined the army—why do I have to fight?" But that's what a soldier joins the army for, to fight!—And we are in a spiritual warfare, and the Devil is going to try to fight you! 1 Timothy 6:12—Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 2 Timothy 2:3–4—You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. (4) No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please Him who enlisted him as a soldier. There's an old saying: "The enemy doesn't start shooting till you go over the top!"—which dates from the trench warfare of World War I. Not until you came out of your trench and started attacking his territory did the enemy really let go and let you have it with all his big guns! Now that you are walking on the path of serving the Lord, it is only to be expected that you are going to face battles. ------------------------------- > Types of problems ------------------------------- We could divide our troubles or difficulties into three groups: 1) physical problems, 2) difficulties caused by our own mistakes or by intentional or unintentional actions of others, and 3) spiritual attacks from the outside. * 1. Physical problems Most of us face some physical weaknesses or limitations or sickness at some time or other, or maybe we are short of money or have some other material lack. Philippians 4:12—I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. The apostle Paul wrote this, so he obviously experienced physical difficulties. * 2. Human weaknesses Romans 7:18–19—For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. (19) For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. Hebrews 12:1b—Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. The Lord made each of us differently, and has allowed each of us our own particular imperfections—plain old human weaknesses, frailties and lacks like selfishness, pride, laziness and envy—"every weight and the sin which so easily ensnares us," against which we must daily battle. Battling these keeps us in shape spiritually, fighting and relying on the Lord! We can also suffer problems because of the actions of others, whether intentional or unintentional. Maybe a scheduled bus doesn't show up and you're late for an important interview. Maybe someone has borrowed some item but failed to return it. The examples are endless. * 3. Spiritual attacks Then there are the attacks from the outside. The Devil tries to defeat you personally, to hinder you, and discourage you. You're already saved, the Lord's possession forever, but the Devil fears you and knows that he's going to lose others from his clutches because of you and your witness. So what does he do about it?—He tries to hinder and stop you, and discouragement is one of his favorite tools. Thank God we know the answer: Faith! We'll be talking more about how to defeat the Devil's devices later in the class but for now, remember we are already victors: 1 Corinthians 15:57—Thanks be to God, Who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. ------------------------------- > No trial greater than you can bear ------------------------------- Troubles are common to all! Whether we face trials from spiritual attacks, or battles with our human weaknesses or physical problems, we all have troubles! Not to speak of the mistakes that we make, or suffering from the effects of the mistakes of others, and so on. No matter what problems you face, always remember that the Lord is with you and can help you get victories! The trials of life can be overcome by trusting in Him and looking to Him for help. God's Word promises, 1 Corinthians 10:13—No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. If you're ever tempted to feel all alone and forsaken and like you're the only one that's going through this, and you feel like you're going through it worse than anybody else because of all your mistakes, just remember, many others have felt the same way.—And they have pulled through victoriously. The Lord's not going to make it any harder for you than you can take, and will always make a way of escape. ------------------------------- > Fiery trials: How will you respond? ------------------------------- 1 Peter 4:12—Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you. 1 Peter 1:7—That the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ. The Lord sometimes lets things happen that we don't understand to test us and try us. He places us in the refining fires of His trials and testings. Some things happen that keep you close to the Lord—sickness, trouble, problems. Sometimes they happen to drive you close to others. Sometimes they happen to keep you humble. Sometimes they happen to make you pray. There are all kinds of reasons for having troubles.—And even troubles and tribulations are good for us! We'll talk more about that later. The sorrow, the suffering, the sacrifice and sadness you go through will bring out the best in you—sweetness, compassion, tenderness, brokenness, love, and concern for others—if you love the Lord and turn to Him when you go through such trials. He says, 1 Peter 4:19—Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator. If we learn and grow from our difficulties, then they will make us better, not bitter. "Thank God for this wheelchair!" Dr. Hubert Davidson visited the noted poetess, Myra Brooks Welch, who perhaps is best known for her masterpiece, "The Touch of the Master's Hand." As he turned to leave her home, Myra Welch patted the arm of her wheelchair and said, "And I thank God for this." Imagine being grateful for a wheelchair! But her talent lay undiscovered prior to her wheelchair days. Rather than becoming bitter, she chose a better way, and a wonderful ministry opened new doors of blessings for her. Her poems have blessed many. ------------------------------- > Closer to Jesus ------------------------------- Psalm 55:22—Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you; He shall never permit the righteous to be moved. Remember that whatever troubles you face, the ultimate result can be a closer and better relationship with the Lord. When you're in trouble and call out for help, He answers!—And His presence will be so precious and real to you when you let Him encourage, guide and lead you. No matter what you go through, He is there to help, comfort and bring meaning to it all. Hebrews 13:5—Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." If possible, share a personal anecdote on how the Lord's presence seemed even closer during a time of trial. ------------------------------- > Three steps to victory! ------------------------------- No matter what the problem is, if you'll just put into action what you've already been learning in our classes, you'll find the answers. We could say generally the answer is "be close to the Lord" and that is true, but we think it would be most helpful to go through the specifics. Whatever your problems are, if you will prayerfully follow these steps, you're guaranteed to win victories! Summary: Step 1: Identify the problem Step 2: Find the solution Step 3: Move on! (continued in part 2)