How the Holy Spirit Helps You Become Greater than Your Problem (Phil. 4:13)
Illustration: Everyone worries occasionally, but I was once a "professional worrier." My daily preoccupation was mulling over my worries, one by one.
Then one day I had to face an uncomfortable medical test, and I was frantic with fear. Finally I decided that during the test I would focus on the first five words of Psalm 23, "The Lord is my shepherd." This exercise in meditation not only calmed me, but I gained several fresh insights. Later, as I slowly meditated through the entire psalm, the Lord gave me more insights. Eventually I was able to share at conferences what the Lord had taught me.
If you’re a worrier, there’s hope for you too! Rick Warren, author of The Purpose-Driven Life, wrote: "When you think about a problem over and over in your mind, that’s called worry. When you think about God’s Word over and over in your mind, that’s meditation. If you know how to worry, you already know how to meditate!"
The more we meditate on God’s Word, the less we need to worry. In Psalm 23, David meditated on his great Shepherd instead of worrying. Later, God chose him to be the shepherd of His people (Psalm 78:70-72). God uses those who can honestly say, "The Lord is my shepherd." —Joanie Yoder
When fear and worry test your faith
And anxious thoughts assail,
Remember God is in control
And He will never fail. —Sper
The more we think about God’s Word, the less we’ll think about our worries. (Our Daily Bread)
1. The Holy Spirit helps us realize that the Lord is greater than any problem when He reveals more of God’s attributes to us. Isaiah wrote, "The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him - the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord." (Isaiah 11:2) Ask the Lord to let the Spirit of God triumphantly lead you to greater intimacy with the Lord through a richer knowledge and reverence of His character qualities.
2. The Holy Spirit teaches us that God is greater than any problem through His promises of deliverance. David said to the Lord after he had been delivered from the hands of his enemies, "The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation. He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior - from violent men you save me. I call to the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and I am saved from my enemies." (2 Sam. 22:2-4) Call to the Lord in all situations so that He will deliver you from all of your emotional, social, cultural, physical, financial, educational, and relational problems.
3. The Holy Spirit counsels us in our predicaments so that we can learn how God’s advice is greater than any problem. Jesus said, "But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you." (John 14:26) Ask the Lord to help you listen and apply the wealth of wisdom, knowledge and skill given in the counsel of the Holy Spirit.
4. The Holy Spirit inspires us to teach, rebuke, correct and train in righteousness through the illumination of His word. Paul wrote, "All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness. So that the man of God could be thoroughly equipped for every good work." (2 Tim. 3:16,17) Ask the Lord to give you an extra quantity and quality of His inspiration to allow you to implement all aspects of His holy word in your personal life and ministries.
5.The Holy Spirit gives us words to speak with conviction to demonstrate His power through us. Jesus said, "But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourselves. For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents, brothers, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you to death."(Luke 21:14-16) Trust the Lord in prayer that He will give you the right words, tone of voice and self-controlled emotions to speak in a way that it is evident you are speaking as of the Spirit of God.
6. The Holy Spirit gives supernatural grace to those of us who have physical, emotional or mental afflictions. Paul said, "Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take away my thorn in the flesh. But he said tome, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." (2 Cor. 12:8,9) Believe the Lord for a supernatural infusion of His grace at just the right time, in the right measure and in the best method to help you overcome any problem.
7. The Holy Spirit gives us God inspired perspectives to see the problems from His eyes. David spoke before he went out to battle Goliath, "All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s and he will give all of you into our hands." (I Samuel 17:47) Ask the Lord to help you see all aspects of your problem from the Lord’s eyes. Then, you can rest confidently in the fact that the Lord will fight your battles and give you victory.
8. The Holy Spirit uses problems to help us learn obedience and greater trust in God’s love. Paul wrote, "We rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." (Rom. 5:2-5)
Application; Ask the Lord to help you see any suffering as a part of the cross the Lord has called you to bear. Be confident that God is able to use any hardship for the producing of greater Godly character in your mind, will and emotions
9. The Holy Spirit empowers us in new ways through the process of working through our adversity. Paul prayed, "I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being." (Ephesians 3:16) Ask the Lord to give you greater facility in utilizing the power of the Spirit in every area of your personal conversations and ministries.
10. The Holy Spirit reveals useful insights to us when we are challenged with problems. We have received not received the spirit of the world, that we may understand what God has freely given us. This is in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words." (I Cor. 2:12,13) Ask the Lord for help in utilizing the Spirit’s insights for the more effective seeking of His kingdom and righteousness. (Matt. 6:33,34)
Conclusion: Years ago, an elderly businessman asked me, "What is your biggest problem?"
I pondered this for a while before replying: "When I look in the mirror every morning, I see my biggest problem staring at me."
Today’s Scripture reading teaches me that Christians are to be like mirrors. Paul said that our faces are not to be veiled. This is logical. No one installs a mirror and then places a curtain over it. A covered mirror will not fulfill the purpose of reflecting the objects before it.
In 2 Corinthians 3:18, we are described as "beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord." When we behold His glory, we will be "transformed into the same image"—that is, the likeness of Christ.
We may wonder why we are still so far from being like Christ in our thinking and behavior. Perhaps this question will help: "Whose life do we mirror?"
God’s people must reflect God’s glory. To do that we must make it our habit to behold His glory. We must read and meditate on His Word. We must pray and trust God’s Holy Spirit to work in our hearts. Only then can we obey His commands and depend on His promises.
Whose glory are you reflecting today? —Albert Lee
Lord, may our walk and service be
An image bright of things above,
As we reflect the unity
Of Father, Son, and Spirit’s love. —Anon.
The face is a mirror of the heart—do people see Jesus in yours? (Our Daily Bread)
