How to benefit from your problems

James 1:2-6

‘Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance’ (James 1:2-3)

Four facts of life you need to know

1. Problems are inevitable - Scripture doesn't say, "If you encounter problems consider it joy" but whenever - count on it, you're going to have problems.

2. Problems are unpredictable: He says, "...whenever you face problems ..." The word "face" in Greek is "peripipto". It literally means "to fall into unexpectedly".

3. Problems are of many kinds: They come in all shapes and sizes.

4. Problems are purposeful: They have a purpose. Pain can be productive. Pressure produces. Suffering can accomplish something.

Three purposes of problems in your life:

· Problems purify my faith - The first things trials do is test our faith. Your faith develops when things don't go as planned.

· Problems develops our patience - God uses problems in our lives to teach us how to handle pressure, how to never give up. God teaches you patience in traffic jams, in grocery lines, the waiting periods of life.

· Problems sanctify my character. They make me like Jesus. They help me mature. They help me to grow.

How to handle problems

Rejoice: "Consider it pure joy whenever you face trials ..." v. 1. The word "consider" means a deliberate look at. It means to make up your mind once and for all.

Request: Pray when you've got problems. Dont Ask ‘WHY’, but Ask God: "What do You want to teach me in this problem, Lord? What characteristics can I develop?"

Relax: Trust God to know what's best for your life. That's what's called faith.