People Are Problems and I'm a Person

People have this thing that they do: When problems arise, we run and hide. We've been doing it since the garden of Eden. It's our thing. Things get difficult in our marriage and we decide that we want out...or that we'd be happier with someone else. Things get difficult in our ministry and we quit. Things get uncomfortable in our church and we look for a new church. It's the "Grass-is-always-greener-on-the-other-side" Syndrome. Problems arise and people run away. We think "in this new place" or "with this new person" or "at this new job" or "away from these people" we'll be free of all the problems that plagued us in our previous situation. Problem is...that is rarely the case. In fact, we find that those same problems that we fled from keep showing up wherever we are! Do you know why? Because WE are the problem! People are problems and we are people! The things that we run from are things that God is trying to change in US. God allows difficult situations so that we might face them, not flee from them! He has purposed difficulties so that He can change you! But when we continually run away from our problems and never face them (and in His strength overcome them) we never learn what He intended us to learn or become what He intends for us to become. And THAT is a problem...because we enter into a cycle of constantly battling the same burdens again and again. We would be wise to face our issues the first time they arise, thinking how we might creatively, consistently and calmly conquer them. Overcoming the problems and sin in your life is what God intended by letting the problem arise in the first place. Don’t flee...face it! Kill it! Conquer it!

By God's grace and in His strength, let us face, climb, and overcome whatever mountain range of problems that lies in front of us. Let Him transform you more and more into His image so that you might become less and less of the problem!

"He must become greater; I must become less." - John 3:30