Similarly with GOD, we have to do our part first. As we draw near to HIM, HE draws near to us [James 4:8]. The key here is that we seek HIM first, with all our hearts [Jeremiah 29:12-13].
We fight our battles first in prayer on our knees, for our struggles are not against flesh and blood but against the spiritual evil forces of this world [Ephesians 6:12]. We commit the time and place, and through persistent and passionate prayer our petitions and supplications can result in much [James 5:16].
Without ceasing, we continue until we receive: ask and we will receive; seek and we will find; knock and the door will be opened [Mathew 7:7]. In the original Greek the tense of the verbs ask [“aiteite”], seek [“zēteite”] and knock [“krouete”] are in the present active imperative, which imply the idea of continuity: ask and keep on asking; seek and keep on seeking; knock and keep on knocking.
Then we let our mouth do the work by proclaiming our victory with the help of the Word of GOD. GOD’s Word has the power to produce the fruit and the success HE intends in the life of believers [Joshua 1:8, Isaiah 55:10-12, Romans 10:9].
It is also useful to have a process journal to help us to stay focused and to see progress, to record any results and challenges we experience, so that we can continue to work on it day after day.
Why would GOD help me?
The Bible tells us to place our cares1 upon GOD for HE cares2 for us [1 Peter 5:7; (1) Greek “merimna”: distraction, worry, anxiety; (2) Greek “melō”: interest]. If GOD is interested in our concerns, HE certainly is interested in helping us to get rid of them. Instead of working hard on trying to deny our problems or working hard on trying to solve them by our own strength and skills, we can work smarter and wiser in seeking GOD for help.
Is there an easy start?
Yes, if you read further in the book you will find it.
Are there any guarantees I will be able to solve my problems?
I can not give any guarantees that after reading this book all problems will be solved. However, the Word of GOD says that we can have peace; our hearts and minds will be guarded; we can find refuge, strength, deliverance, salvation, healing, freedom, and victory if we seek, ask, knock, and pray to GOD with all our hearts, minds and soul, and we are in JESUS CHRIST - using HIS strength and power as our eternal intercessor [Philippians 4:6-7, Romans 8:37, Mathew 7:7, Psalms 25, 27, 71, 91, 103, 118, 121].
GOD guarantees that HIS Word will produce the fruit HE intends in the life of whom it is spoken [Isaiah 55:10-12]. No one that seeks HIM will be disappointed [Isaiah 49:23]. Why not give it a chance?
A Biblical account: King David, a man after GOD’s heart
King David had many problems. He was unjustly accused, persecuted and hunted by king Saul who was trying to kill him. While David was on the run, he had to find refuge amongst people who were difficult to trust. We can read David’s “adventures” in the books of 1 and 2 Samuel.
We can also have a closer view of how David experienced his troubles by reading the book of Psalms: chapters 3 to 41 (except Psalms 1, 2 and 33), chapters 42, 43, 51 to 66, 68 to 72, 86, 101, 103, 108, 109, 110, 122, 124, 131, 133, 138, 139, 140, 141, 142, 143, 144, and 145 are said to be written by David in various moments of his life (not necessarily in the order they are in the Christian Bible).
From the Psalms we can also learn David’s problem solving technique: he seeks GOD for help and strength first and every time.
When the Bible says that David was a man after GOD’s heart [Acts 13:22, 1 Samuel 13:14], the interpretation of the scriptures suggests two things:
He seeks always to do what is in GOD’s heart - HIS will.
David did all he could to reach out for and gain GOD’s heart, GOD’s approval and sympathy: he praised, thanked, and prayed to GOD. He composed and sang songs (hymns) for GOD. He danced. He cried. He humbled himself. He proclaimed publicly and claimed his hope in GOD. And he witnessed GOD’s power in his life through the Psalms he wrote.
As a result, GOD equipped David, strengthened him, delivered him out of his problems, and made him a victorious king.
About Problems & Troubles
”GOD is our refuge and strength. A very present help in trouble” [Psalms 46:1].
Trouble (Webster’s Dictionary)
A source of difficulty: “one trouble after another delayed the job”.
An event causing distress or pain: “what is the trouble?”, “heart trouble”.
A strong feeling of anxiety: “he wanted to die and end his troubles”.
The state of being troubled, disturbance, agitation, uneasiness, vexation or calamity.
That which gives disturbance, annoyance, or vexation. That which afflicts.
Problem (Webster’s Dictionary)
A state of difficulty that needs to be resolved: “she and her husband are having problems”, “urban problems such as traffic congestion and smog”.
A question raised for consideration or solution: “our homework consisted of ten problems to solve”.
A source of difficulty: “what’s the problem?”.
A question proposed for solution, a matter stated for examination or proof, a matter difficult of solution or settlement, a doubtful case, a question involving doubt.
Anything which is required to be done, as in geometry (to bisect a line, to draw a perpendicular), or in algebra (to find an unknown quantity).
A problem is a matter or a situation that we need to solve or we would like to solve (for example: a puzzle, a mathematical equation, to bake a cake, to fix the car, to be able to sleep at night, to balance the family budget, to feed the family, to be able to find a wife/husband). When solving problems we can have fun or distress. Some problems are fun to solve, like a puzzle, or a word quiz. Fixing a car can be a fun problem for some. Balancing a budget can be a fun problem for an accountant (especially if it is not their own budget).
A trouble is a problem that anguishes us. That causes distress, pain, discomfort, anxiety. For example: financial problems, a disease, relational problems, legal problems, not finding a job, not being able to feed the family, an addiction. We often use the word “Problem” intending the same meaning as trouble. For example, the Oxford dictionary defines a problem as “A matter or situation regarded as unwelcome or harmful and needing to be dealt with and overcome: they have financial problems; marital problems, problems with the law”.
Depending on our personal situation or history, some problems can be a source of trouble or not. For example, changing a light bulb can be a source of stress if it needs to be done and we have a physical impediment that prevents us from doing it. I have a number of friends that can fix their cars without a second thought or a shadow of doubt. However, one of the areas that I am less skilled with is car mechanics. So, whenever I have to fix things in my car I do feel a bit anxious and reluctant. Often I have to pay someone else to do it for me, even though I would like to do it myself.
In John 16:33 JESUS reminds us that in this world we will have tribulation. As a general principle, JESUS alerts us that not only we will have intellectual challenges or situations to solve (problems), but also these will cause us to suffer, to be distressed, to be anguished, and anxious (trouble).
Troubles should be expected in life. As author