I have trusted Jesus as my Savior. Why are there still problems?
God never promised to take away all our problems. Did you ever see a baby with health problems, who cannot get up, run and play and get strong? It’s really pitiful to see them stay so weak. Life is full of challenges, difficulties and needs. It is God’s plan to use problems to help us grow and develop character qualities that will enable us to be His leaders and ambassadors in this world. “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything”. (James 1:2-4) Every obstacle is an opportunity to turn our hearts to God, believe His promises, trust and obey Him. God wants to make us strong in His Word, strong in faith, strong in obedience and strong in endurance, among other things.
The apostle Paul told his friend Timothy to “Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress.” I need to ask each of us. Are there circumstances in your life that really bug or worry you? Are you learning the lessons that God wants to teach you in these situations? God says that these are a “testing of your faith”. Are you learning God’s lessons, and are you believing and trusting God for what He is doing? Are you diligent in obeying God’s instructions related to these problems?
“Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life, that God has promised to those who love Him.” (James 1:12)