We can face all sorts of issues at work, church, and in the home. Some may be the consequences of our own choices while other issues may be the result of what someone else did. Nonetheless, we may have to deal with the fallout, which can still be stressful and anxiety producing.
What to Do When Facing Issues
Let’s remember God’s ability and desire to help us and turn to Him first and foremost.
Here’s the reason:
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. (1 Pet. 5:7)
Notice the results when taking our issues to the Lord:
1) We find peace in the midst of our circumstances.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 4:6-7)
2) He makes a way for us to navigate whatever we’re facing.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. (Prov. 3:5-6)
An Approach to Working Through Issues
The approach taken in a training resource for Bible teachers facing specific discipline issues could be helpful for other kinds of situations as well. For each of the 56 issues covered in that resource, teachers look at the challenge, cause, corrective and circumventive measures. Read on and you’ll see how this approach could apply to other types of issues. Remember to first and foremost turn to the Lord. Note how He needs to be part of each step to experience the above-mentioned results.
Challenge: What is really happening and what effects is it having?
This is a good starting point. We must be real. We can’t live in denial. Neither should we obsess or exaggerate what’s happening. Rather, let’s lay it out before the Lord, much like King Hezekiah did upon receiving a threatening letter from the enemy (2 Kings 19:14-19). Philippians 4:6-7 says “in everything” to present our requests to the Lord. That implies we get specific in laying it out before the Lord. ‘Here’s what’s happening. Here are the effects it’s having. We / I need your help, Lord.’
Cause: What brought on this issue?
Understanding why something has become an issue can help us know how to resolve it. As we lay out the issue before the Lord, we ask Him to show us what part we might have in the situation and what we should do about it. We can pray similar to the psalmist, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Ps. 139:23-24)
Corrective Measure: Based on the cause, what steps should be taken?
We can’t merely sit around analyzing the situation. We must act before the problem worsens, but it needs to be the right steps. More problems have escalated out of control in the church, home, and workplace because the wrong corrective measures were taken. Though possibly filled with good intentions, people misunderstood the real issue or assumed they knew. Let’s be sure to ask God for help understanding. We have two means of obtaining the wisdom we need: 1) God’s Word because it “is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (2 Tim. 3:16-17); 2) Prayer because we have the promise that “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all” (James 1:5)
Circumventive Measure: How might this issue be prevented from becoming a problem?
Learning from what has happened helps prevent it from happening again. We should want to get beyond merely applying a temporary fix. Think of Jesus’ words to the woman caught in adultery. He extended forgiveness but also told her to “go now and leave your life of sin” (Jn. 8:11).
Obviously many issues require more than a straight line or 1-2-3-4 step approach. Application of the verses with which this post began must infiltrate every phase of working through issues. When we trust in the Lord and acknowledge Him in all our ways, He’ll give us peace as He straightens our path. Let’s not overestimate our own abilities to deal with life.