“As an example of suffering and patience, beloved, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Indeed we call blessed those who show endurance. You have heard of the endurance of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful. Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise.” James 5:10-1 & 13 (RSV)
Harold J. Kaiser claims, “Problems are only opportunities in work clothes.” This statement sounds good and most hard-working, go-get-em types will readily assent to it. It is a great perspective but life is a bit more complicated. Let’s not stretch it beyond Scripture or reality.
A problem is “a difficult matter requiring a solution” [i.e. physical, mental, spiritual]. Like most things in life, one person’s problem is another’s challenge. One person’s opportunity can be another’s obstruction. To imply that every problem can be solved through hard work is immature and oversimplifies real life. It is an insult to every martyr from Christ until now. It borders on intellectual dishonesty and denial. Some problems cannot be solved.
Easy solutions or “quick fixes” to human problems do not exist in real life. Scripture teaches that real-life difficulties require patience, endurance and continual prayer.
Dear Father, thank you for your wisdom. Thank you for working all our difficulties out to our good and for your glory. Forgive me for trying to solve my own problems. Give me the patience I need to endure all the difficulties of life. Give me the solutions that will be best for me and to your glory. In Jesus’ name. AMEN
Let us praise God for his guidance and live in patient endurance,
Pastor Smith