It would be incredible if we lived in a perfect world — one where problems didn’t exist, where nothing ever got in the way of our success.
Unfortunately, we live in a not-so-perfect world, and problems do exist.
The question is not so much if a problem will arise; it’s more like when will one rear it’s ugly head and how big of a problem will it be.
If you are alive, you will run into problems. They often come in the form of stumbling blocks, obstacles or barricades.
Stumbling blocks are problems that pop up and seem to just trip you up a bit. They’re not really big problems; they just slow you down and make you work a little harder to get where you want to be.(No matter what area of your life it is!)
Obstacles are problems that are a little bit bigger. These may make cause you to alter your course or do things a little different than you originally had planned. Many times, this problem has to be dealt with before you can move forward.
Barricades are really big problems. These problems are ones you can’t ignore. In fact, these can be damaging if they are not dealt with. Barricades are the problems that have you feeling like you’re banging your head against a wall and nothing you do seems to help.
Regardless of how big a problem you are dealing with, understanding that no problem has to permanent is key. Every problem — big or small — can be overcome.
The last thing you want to do is make a career out of your problem. Ever known someone who every time you talk to them they seem to be working on the same problem? They seem stuck in the same rut?
I have heard way too many people say things like, “If I could just get by this issue, I could move forward.” Guess what? The next time I see them they usually say the same thing, maybe in different words, but it’s the same thing over and over again.
Don’t let problems take over your life; be determined to move forward in spite of issues that rise up. That can be easier said than done, so how do you do that?
1. Face The Problem. Don’t run from it or try to ignore it. See it for what it is — a circumstance that is trying to keep you from living the life you want to live.
Make the problem your enemy and be determined to solve, fix it or get over it and move forward in spite of it.
2. Decide What Action To Take. Can you solve it, fix it or overcome it? Look at it from every angle. Many times the answer to the problem lies within the problem itself.
Figure out if you can fix this on your own or if you need help. It can be difficult to ask for assistance, but believe me, it’s easier to request help then to slowly get swallowed up by a problem that could have been fixed if you would have just put your pride aside and asked for help.
3. Deal With It. You cannot let problems stew. Even the smallest problem left unattended can grow into a massive issue later. Deal with problems immediately, and your life will be far more peaceful.
Rely on your FAITH, DESIRE and DETERMINATION to help you get through it. Believe you can get over it; want what you are trying to accomplish so bad that you HAVE to get over whatever the problem is and be so fervently grounded in your determination that no problem can stop you regardless of the size of the issue!
4. Grow From It. Yep, you heard me right — grow from it. We are made stronger because of the issues we overcome. The sharpest sword in the world is only a piece of steel that has been raked against a rough surface so many times that all that is left is the finest edge. Problems are the whetstone that hones us in the same way a blade is made. It’s hard, it hurts, but you will be stronger for going through whatever issues you face.
If you are alive and breathing, you will have problems. So expect them to come up, deal with them immediately, become stronger because of them and LIVE LIFE!
James 1:2-4 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.