The Presence of Problems

“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal which comes upon you to prove you, as though something strange were happening to you” (1 Peter 4:12).

There was a time when I believed that becoming a Christian meant enjoying a problem-free life. Take Christ as Savior and difficulties vanish; peace floods the soul; temptations are victoriously resisted; success crowns every effort. It was a lovely vision – but a hopeless illusion. Life is not like that. Problems are present even for the believer.

Because we live in a flawed and fallen universe, the presence of the problematic and the abnormal (such as earthquakes, tornadoes, tsunamis, and birth deformities) is inevitable. We, and the world, are spoiled, flawed, and fallen. No wonder we have trials and tribulations.

Scripture clearly teaches that problems are present. Jesus said: “In the world, you have tribulation” (John 16:33). Peter says: “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal which comes upon you to prove you, as though something strange were happening to you” (1 Peter 4:12). James says: “Count it all joy, my brethren, when [not if] you meet various trials” (James 1:2, emphasis mine). The writer to the Hebrews implies that directly after Christian commitment, struggles can emerge in even greater abundance than before. He writes: “After you were enlightened, you endured a hard struggle with sufferings” (Hebrews 10:32).

What, then, is the point of becoming a Christian if life carries on as before, not with fewer problems, but apparently more? We need to affirm the difference between those problems we have without Christ and those we have with him. The former tends to fragment and disintegrate our lives and appears to have no meaning. The latter can become redemptive and creative.

Romans 8:28 is a great comfort: “We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose.” The implication is that God creatively enters every situation in his children’s lives and energizes them for good.

Reflection

List the problems and difficulties you are currently facing. Take this to God in prayer asking him to work in each one for good and to give you peace as you trust him.