I think one thing that many of us get wrong, when we come to God for help with the difficulties in our lives, is complaining and looking for God’s sympathy. We sometimes think if we show God how difficult things are for us, out of pity, he will help us. The problem with that approach is, it is not what God tells he responds to.

God responds to our faith. In Hebrews 11:6 we are told, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”

God knows the challenges we face in our lives. In some cases he is allowing these difficulties to occur to bring us closer to him. So complaining to God about these things will not influence him. What he tells us he wants is for us to respond to our challenges with faith. When we want God to help us, we should come to him with a faithful petition like:

Dear Lord, You know the challenges we are facing, whether these are things we brought on ourselves, or they are trials you are allowing us to experience, to make us better, we come to you with no doubt that you will bring us through these trials better, stronger and more confident in your unlimited power. For this we thank you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

I think one of the most significant reasons for the lack of success or resolution of long-standing issues in personal relationships, organizations, communities, or frankly countries, is that people cannot let go of their complaints about things that happened a long time in the past. Although one party may have wronged the other, the conflict cannot be overcome until the one who was wronged can let it go, and get over it.

People may say, “I am not going to be happy until the wrong doer…. apologizes, goes to jail, pays a fine, etc” However, often the person who was wronged, doesn’t even know what he or she wants, they are just mad, and they seem to want to stay that way.

The problem with this thinking is that it gives up control of our thoughts and feelings. What if that punishment or consequence never occurs? Should they be sour forever? Who is actually being punished for the wrong in that case. Staying upset just keeps us miserable.

Proverbs 17:9 says, “Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends.”

“Getting over it,” by forgiving those who wronged us, is like opening the floodgates to the progress that only can occur when God’s love works through us.

Dear Lord, It is so easy to carry a grudge around, angry at someone for some old fault they may have committed, but this only hurts ourselves. So help us forgive these faults, let them go, get over them, so that we may feel your love, move forward and prosper. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

The Old Testament tells the similar account over and over again of how God’s people followed him and things were good for them, then they became distracted, turned away from God, became self-centered, and their situations fell apart. A prophet or leader would bring them back to God, and things were good again. This theme continues over and over throughout the Bible, and arguably throughout history to this day.

One of the prophets through whom God spoke was Isaiah. In Isaiah 30:18 Isaiah says “Yet the Lord still waits for you to come to him so he can show you his love; He will conquer you and bless you, just as he said. For the Lord is faithful to his promises. Blessed are all those who wait for him to help them.” The NIV version puts it this way, “..the Lord longs to be gracious to you”

Think of it like this. Your favorite store is giving away merchandise to anyone who shows up and asks; no charge; no fine print. However, they are not advertising or promoting the event, you have to show up to find out. That is what God is telling us. God is just waiting there for us to come to Him, and he will show us His love and blessing.

Dear Lord, Help us understand and appreciate that you are always there, waiting for us to come to you in faith. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen

Henry Ford is quoted as saying, “If you think you can do a thing, or think you can’t do a thing, you’re right.”

I have heard the same concept said this way, “If you believe something is not possible, it is not possible, for you.”

What these quotes are emphasizing is the importance of belief; but the belief in ourselves. Belief in ourselves is important and useful in our lives, however, belief in God is has unlimited power. Jesus tells us in Matthew 19:26, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible,” and when Jesus healed the blind man in Matthew 9:29, Jesus said, “According to your faith let it be done to you.”

God created everything, how can we question His ability to do anything. Sometimes it is our doubt an disbelief that puts limits on the things God wants to do for us.

Dear Lord, help us come to You with faith in Your power. Strengthen our belief in You to act in our lives and in our world. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

How often do you face difficult situations where you cannot imagine a solution that will make things work out favorably for you? For example, you have a large bill due and no idea how to pay it, a big school project due and not enough time to get it done, or a big project at work at the same time as an important family activity.

Why don’t we ask for God to solve it for us? Often we think we have to know how the problem can be solved so we can explain to God how to solve it. Actually we don’t. In Matthew 17:27 Jesus and Peter were in a situation where they were required to pay a tax. Jesus said to Peter, “….go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours.”

Do you think Peter had any idea that Jesus would resolve the problem this way?

God can always find a way, even when we don’t see a way. We need to remember to just ask.

Dear Lord, help us remember to go to You when we are in need, and trust You to show us a solution. In your name we pray. Amen.