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How the Bible Describes Our Problems

We all face different kinds of problems during our lives, some worse than others. Some of the descriptions the Bible uses to describe these problems include troubles, tribulation, adversity, distress, hardship, suffering, storms, enemies, trials, and testing by fire, to name a few.

Some of our struggles, using biblical terms, could be further expressed as oppression; being poor and needy; weak; weary; having a broken heart; carrying burdens; lacking food, drink, and clothes; or being worried and anxious. On a more intense level, the Bible even tells us that evil spirits work against us in this world, seeking to cause us great harm.

But what does the Bible teach about how we should try to deal with these various problems?

How Believers are Encouraged to React to Problems

Firstly, the Bible will not offer us much comfort in our trials and problems unless we believe it, as well as have a relationship with God. The method for obtaining a relationship with God is to confess our sins so God can cleanse us and confess our faith in Jesus as Christ and Lord. This results in what Jesus called being “born again” (John 3:1-7).

When we are assured that we have first entered into a relationship with God, we have assurance that we can go to God with our problems.

“The Lord also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; for You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You” (Psalm 9:9-10).

The Bible reveals that God “has our backs” (my phrase) when we have faith, pursue righteousness, submit and draw near to God, and are seeking to keep our minds fixed on Him. I know that sounds like a lot, but God’s Holy Spirit helps us follow God after we have personally believed in Christ.

Jesus told us we can expect troubles throughout our lives. It is not supposed to surprise us, as difficult as it can be for us at times. We are actually encouraged to be willing to suffer—be willing to lose things for Christ’s sake. We are taught in the Bible to be content with what we have, and to have joy in all our circumstances. Furthermore, we are told to take pleasure in our struggles. God wants us to be glad and rejoice despite our difficulties, because testing produces patience and endurance in our lives.

That doesn’t mean that we are to resign ourselves to our struggles. God has promised to either remove our problems or be with us in the midst of them. Here are some actions we are told to take in our darkest moments:

• Cry out to God for help through prayer.
• Trust in God’s help.
• Seek God’s help.
• Fear God.
• Set our mind on God.
• Wait on the Lord.
• Humble ourselves before God.
• Cast our cares on God.
• Do not be afraid.
• Do not worry.
• Only focus on today’s problems.
• Realize that all believers have their own struggles.
• Resist evil spirits.

How God Responds to Our Problems

The Bible doesn’t tell us to simply trust God and hope He’ll somehow help us in the midst of our problems. Instead, God’s Word reveals countless portrayals of how He promises to respond to our needs:

• God is a refuge.
• God is our shield.
• God has not forsaken us.
• God hides us.
• God guides us.
• God shows mercy.
• God considers us.
• God knows our souls and our needs.
• God hears us.
• God is near us.
• God saves us from troubles.
• God sends angels to help.
• God delivers us.
• God protects us.
• God holds us up.
• God takes away our fears.
• God gives us rest, sleep, confidence, protection, strength, power, peace of mind, and comfort.
• God provides for our needs.
• God takes our burdens.
• We can’t be separated from the love of Christ.
• God makes us overcomers and conquerors.
• God guides our minds in Jesus Christ.
• God keeps us.
• God will exalt us.
• God cares for us.

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

My friends, we all face struggles in this world. Even believers in the Lord Jesus Christ are not exempt. Many Christians actually go through greater hardship than nonbelievers. We don’t understand why. We just know that God says we will. We must accept it and praise God anyway. But we must also trust Jesus Christ to either remove the problem or walk with us through our storms. God will not forsake us, even if we may feel that way at times.

This message is based largely on the following Scripture passages. Please research when you have a chance:

• Psalm 3:1-3; 27:5; 31:7; 32:6-8; 34:6-7, 17-19
• Proverbs 3:24-26
• Isaiah 25:4; 26:3; 40:29-31; 41:10,13
• Matthew 6:31-34; 11:28-30
• John 14:27
• Romans 5:3; 8:16-17, 35, 37
• II Corinthians 1:3-4; 12:9-10
• Philippians 3:7-8; 4:6-7, 11-13
• Hebrews 13:5-6
• James 1:2-3
• I Peter 1:5-7; 5:6-10
• James 4:7-8
• I John 1:8-9
• Romans 10:9-10
• I John 5:4-5

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