What is God telling me with the problems He permits in my life? The problems we face will either defeat us or develop us, depending on how we respond to them. Unfortunately, most people fail to see how God wants us to use problems for good in our lives. They react foolishly and resent their problems rather than pausing to consider what benefit they might bring.

Here are five ways God wants to use the problems in our lives:

1. God uses problems to DIRECT us. Sometimes God must light a fire under us to get us moving. Problems often point us in a new direction and motivate us to change our ways (Proverbs 20:30).

2. God uses problems to INSPECT us. People are like tea bags. If you want to know what's inside

them, just drop them into hot water! Has God ever tested your faith with a problem? What do problems reveal about you? Remember the words of James who encouraged his audience to count it all joy, when they encountered trials. (James 1:2-3).

3. God uses problems to CORRECT us. Some lessons we learn only through pain and failure. It's likely that as a child our parents told us not to touch a hot stove, but we probably learned by being burned. Sometimes we only learn the value of something like health, money, or a relationship by losing it. "My lips shall utter praise, when thou hast taught me thy statutes. My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness" (Psalm 119:71-72).

4. God uses problems to PROTECT us. A problem can be a blessing in disguise if it prevents you from being harmed by something more serious. Think of a scenario where someone is fired for refusing to do something un-ethical. His unemployment was a problem-but it maybe saved him from being convicted and sent to prison when management's actions were eventually discovered. How about the story of Joseph? He was sold into slavery, which was not pleasant but saved him from the original plan to murder him. Joseph recognized this when he said "... ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good ..." (Genesis 50:20).

5. God uses problems to PERFECT us. Problems, when responded to correctly, are character builders. God is far more interested in your character than your comfort. Your relationship to God and your character are the only two things you're going to take with you into eternity. "And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope" (Romans 5:3-4).

Here's the point: God is at work in our lives-even when you do not recognize it or understand it. However, it is much easier and profitable when you cooperate with Him. We were rightly reminded on Friday night, that we are to be building up ourselves by building up our character. The message of Haggai hit home for me as I'm sure it did for you. Let's take up the work set before us and realize that problems aren't red lights. We don't need to stop just because we have problems. We may not have the explanation as to why, but we have His promise that He will be with us, and He will help us overcome. Eric