When Problems Come

My problems go from bad to worse. Oh, save me from them all! Psalm 25:17 NLT

No life is immune from problems; they visit us all. The poor man with his limited resources is tempted to believe that money would resolve his problems. The wealth of the rich is his problem: he is constantly seeking ways to keep and increase what he has.  L. Lionel Kendrick said, “We cannot always control everything that happens to us in this life, but we can control how we respond. Many struggles come as problems and pressures that sometimes cause pain. Others come as temptations, trials, and tribulations.” Problems come in all shapes and sizes.

2 Kings 4, talks about two women and the problems they faced. The first woman was the wife of a prophet.  Her husband died and she had a problem. So she went to Elisha and said, “My husband who served you is dead, and you know how he feared the Lord. But now a creditor has come, threatening to take my two sons as slaves.” verse 1. Now that is a serious problem. Lack of proper planning on her husband’s part, created a problem for the woman and her children. He was in debt and his death made the situation worse.

Elisha realized that he had to find a solution to this problem so he asked to her, “Tell me, what do you have in the house?” “Nothing at all, except a flask of olive oil,” she replied. verse 2. She probably saw no value in the jar of oil. But Elisha recognized the value of an insignificant jar of oil. He said to her, “Borrow as many empty jars as you can from your friends and neighbors.  Then go into your house with your sons and shut the door behind you. Pour olive oil from your flask into the jars, setting each one aside when it is filled.” verses 3-4. She did as she was told; she took the oil and poured into the vessels. As long as she had vessels, she had oil. When she ran out of vessels, the oil stopped flowing.

She had all the vessels filled with oil but her problem remained. She did not understand the miracle that just happened in her life. So she went to the man of God and he told her, “Now sell the olive oil and pay your debts, and you and your sons can live on what is left over.” verse 7. She had no control about the way her husband managed the family’s finances but she knew where to go to find a solution. If you have a problem, God does not change, He specializes in problem solving.

Thought for Today: Friend, Jesus has the answer to your problems.

Have a blessed day and walk in faith and victory.