Five Ways God Uses Your Troubles

A Message by Pastor Mark Jordan*

James 1:2-3 (NLT) | Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow.

Take-Aways

• Life is a series of problem-solving opportunities
• The problems you face will either defeat you or develop you

God uses problems to DIRECT you.

• Proverbs 20:30 (GNT) | Sometimes it takes a painful experience to make us change our ways.

God uses problems to INSPECT you.

• Psalm 139:23-24 (NLT) | Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you and lead me along the path of everlasting life.

God uses problems to CORRECT you.

• Psalm 119:71-72 (NLT) | My suffering was good for me, for it taught me to pay attention to your decrees. Your instructions are more valuable to me than millions in gold and silver.

God uses problems to PROTECT you.

• Genesis 50:20 (NIV) | You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good.

God uses problems to PERFECT you.

• Romans 5:3-4 (NLT) | We know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character.

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Reflection Questions

1. When have you encountered a problem that resulted in God directing you to a new path? Did you find any redemption in the pain process once you realized you were where God needed you to be?
2. Has God ever used troubling experiences to pull you closer to Him so you can change something that is out of line in your life? What was that like?
3. Life’s difficulties are often used by God to teach us lessons that lead to our refinement. How has God corrected you or your life’s trajectory by using your struggles?
4. Have you ever found a problem in your life to be a blessing in disguise? Has God protected you and/or your future by allowing a problem in your past?
5. Jesus told us to be perfect like God in heaven is perfect. How has God used the troubles in your life to make you more like Jesus? What could or should you do to make sure you are living accordingly?

_{*Based on an article written by Rick Warren}