How can I benefit from my problems?

We all want quick solutions to our problems. We want to be free of the pressure caused by problems and conflicts, but God wants to use that pressure to lead us to spiritual maturity. We need to learn to see life from God’s perspective and ask ourselves, what benefits are possible?

Receive More Grace

Experiencing problems that we cannot solve, especially when others know about them, can be very humbling. However, God uses these experiences to break our pride and give us more grace. (See James 4:6–10.) God designed us with weaknesses so that we would recognize our need for His power. Only God can make us strong by His powerful grace. It is in our weakness that God will demonstrate His power. (See II Corinthians 12:9–12.)

Experience Self-Examination

When a conflict arises, we should be motivated under the guidance of the Holy Spirit to judge our motives, actions, words, and the attitudes of our hearts.

“If we would judge ourselves we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord” (I Corinthians 11:31–32).

“For whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth” (Hebrews 12:6).

“The reproofs of instruction are the way of life” (Proverbs 6:23).

Gain New Insights in Scripture

As we turn to the Lord for wisdom and help with our problems, He will guide us with new insights in Scripture. “Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you. I will make known my words unto you” (Proverbs 1:23).

King David knew that his problems were a result of his own sin, yet he was able to say, “It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes” (Psalm 119:71).

Strengthen Family Unity

The family is the foundation of the Church and the nation. When a family begins pulling apart, God often allows a family member to encounter a problem he cannot solve. God wants to use this problem to develop greater family unity as they seek God’s answers together.

Build Unity in the Church

When a problem is bigger than one family can solve, the need should be shared with the church. As the church offers support through prayer and other responses directed by the Holy Spirit, the church will experience a greater level of unity.

Seeing the benefits that can come as the results of problems is not an easy thing to do, because God’s thoughts are higher than our thoughts. (See Isaiah 55:8–9.) We need to ask God to help us recognize the benefits He wants us to experience as a result of a problem and to teach us through it. God wants us to be conformed to the image of His Son, the Lord Jesus, and God does work all things together for good. (See Romans 8:28–29.)