What Is God’s Purpose in My Problems?

Equipped for Life
What Is God’s Purpose in My Problems?

I. Introduction

A. I Peter 4:12 (NAS) Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you.

II. God’s Purpose in My Problems

A. God uses problems to me.

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

2. We would rarely if we didn’t have problems!

3. “Where is this problem me?”

B. God uses problems to me.

1. Deuteronomy 8:2 (NAS) “You shall remember all the way which the LORD your God has led you in the wilderness these forty years, that He might humble you, testing you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not.”

2. James 1:2-4 (NAS) ²Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, ³knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. ⁴And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

3. Isaiah 48:10 (NAS) “Behold, I have refined you, but not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction.”

4. “What do problems about me?”

C. God uses problems to me.

1. Psalm 119:71 (NAS) It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes.

2. Hebrews 12:7-8 (NLT) ⁷As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? ⁸If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all.

3. “What is this problem me?”

4. God will use problems to force us to the .

D. God uses problems to me.

1. I Peter 3:17 (NAS) For it is better, if God should will it so, that you suffer for doing what is right rather than for doing what is wrong.

2. Genesis 50:20 (NAS) “And as for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive.”

3. “How is this problem me?”

E. God uses problems to me.

1. Romans 5:3-5 (NAS) ³And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; ⁴and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; ⁵and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

2. God’s number one purpose in your life is to make you like !

3. Hebrews 5:8 (NAS) Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered.

4. “How can I from this problem?”

III. Prayers to Pray When You’re Facing a Problem:

A. “Lord, are You using this problem to direct me?”

1. “If so, what do You want me to ?”

B. “Lord, are You using this problem to inspect me?”

1. “What does this problem about my life?”

a. A weakness?

b. A misplaced priority?

c. A compromise?

C. “Lord, are You using this problem to correct me?”

1. “What do You want me to ?”

D. “Lord, are You using this problem to protect me?”

1. “God, help me to You in this. Help me trust that You really know what’s best for me.”

E. “Lord, are You using this problem to perfect me?”

1. “God, use this problem to make me more like !”

IV. Three Truths About the Problem(s) You’re Going Through

A. God what you’re going through.

B. God cares about your problem(s).

1. Psalm 31:7 (NLT) I will be glad and rejoice in your unfailing love, for you have seen my troubles, and you care about the anguish of my soul.

C. He wants to through it!

D. I Corinthians 11:23-28 (NLT)

V. Conclusion