~ 5 ways God uses problems ~
The problems you face will either defeat you or develop you - depending 
on how you respond to them. Unfortunately, most people fail to see how 
God wants to use problems for good in their lives. They react foolishly 
and resent their problems rather than pausing to consider what benefit 
they might bring. Here are five ways God wants to use the problems in 
your life:
 
God uses problems to DIRECT you. Sometimes God must light a fire under 
you to get you moving. Problems often point us in a new direction and 
motivate us to change. Is God trying to get your attention? "Sometimes 
it takes a painful situation to make us change our ways." Proverbs 20:30
 
God uses problems to INSPECT you. People are like tea bags...if you 
want to know what's inside them, just drop them into hot ever water! Has 
God tested your faith with a problem What do problems reveal about you? 
"When you have many kinds of troubles, you should be full of joy, 
because you know that these troubles test your faith, and this will give you 
patience." James 1:2-3
 
God uses problems to CORRECT you. Some lessons we learn only through 
pain and failure. It's likely that as a child your parents told you not 
to touch a hot stove. But you probably learned by being burned. 
Sometimes we only learn the value of something...health, money, a 
relationship... by losing it. "It was the best thing that could have happened to 
me, for it taught me to pay attention to your laws." Psalm 119:71-72
 
God uses problems to PROTECT you. A problem can be a blessing in 
disguise if it prevents you from being harmed by something more serious. 
Last year a friend was fired for refusing to do something unethical that 
his boss had asked him to do. His unemployment was a problem - but it 
saved him from being convicted and sent to prison a year later when 
management's actions were eventually discovered. "You intended to harm me, 
but God intended it for good...” Genesis 50:20
 
God uses problems to PERFECT you. Problems, when responded to 
correctly, are character builders. God is far more interested in your character 
than your comfort. Your relationship to God and your character are 
the only two things you're going to take with you into eternity. "We can 
rejoice when we run into problems... they help us learn to be patient. 
And patience develops strength of character in us and helps us trust 
God more each time we use it until finally our hope and faith are strong 
and steady." Romans 5:3-4
 
Here's the point: God is at work in your life - even when you do not 
recognize it or understand it. But it's much easier and profitable when 
you cooperate with Him. "Success can be measured not only in 
achievements, but in lessons learned, lives touched and moments shared along the 
way." Unknown