- Home
- Index
-
My Books
- Book List
- Writing/Reading Articles Listing
-
My Short Stories
- What God Lost
- What God Lost — Part 2
- When Hope Was Lost
- A Battle in the Heavens
- To Live Forever
- Finding Peace
- Empty Hands
- From Fire and Thunder to Love and Submission
- The Coming One
- Forgiveness Made Possible
- The Innkeeper's Wife
- Do You Have The Right Words?
- The Lamb of God As Told by a Scribe
- What Love Is This?
- When Heaven Came Down
- Family
- Faith
Is Jesus Really the Answer to Everything?
A Sunday School teacher once asked, “What’s small, brown, has a bushy tail and gathers nuts?”
The little boy responded, “It sounds like a squirrel, but the answer has to be Jesus.”
Often in church, we phrase questions that lead children to believe Jesus is the answer to every question.
As we get older, we often hear that He is.
But is He?
Does Jesus solve every problem?
If I would say, “Can He solve every problem?”
We’d say, “Of course. He Can!”
Can denotes ability. And Jesus can.
But does He?
What about the mother of small children whose husband left her?
What about the wife who waits for her drug-addict husband to stop?
Or the husband whose wife is more a slave-driver than a helpmeet?
Or a mom concerned about her wayward son as she raises his children?
We say, “Jesus is the answer to all life’s problems.”
But do we live like it?
A couple is having problems.
They go to marital counseling.
Counseling from a human perspective will only teach you how to be strong, how you must manipulate the circumstances in your favor.
But what if you aren’t strong enough?
Is there no hope?
An individual has depression. He seeks counseling.
He is given medicine. (There are times when this is needed. I am not condemning medicine.)
A child can’t behave in school. He is given drugs. (Boys aren’t meant to sit still for too long!)
My parents’ generation did not think depression was spiritual.
Instead of acknowledging they were depressed, they denied it.
Like the white elephant in the room isn’t talked about, but everyone knows it’s there—and walks through its droppings!
Jesus never said you won’t be depressed.
Or even that it was a sin to be depressed.
Look at Jeremiah. He was the weeping prophet for a reason.
He spoke of coming judgment for his people on every page of his book.
Nor did Jesus tell us we wouldn’t have problems.
These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace, in the world you have tribulation, but take courage, I have overcome the world. John 16:33.
Paul said, so that no one would be disturbed by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we have been destine for this. I Thessalonians 3:3.
Often when we experience problems, we think (erroneously), that if we could just fix what we did, repent of our wrong, that God will fix our problems.
What happens, if in spite of our repentance, our husband remains angry, or on drugs and leaves you, or your wife that demands more—not less as time continues?
Are we wrong?
Cause and effect.
We sin, God punishes.
We repent. God blesses.
That’s the faulty thinking Job’s friends kept telling Job.
“Just repent and get on with your happy life.”
But Job had nothing to repent from. So why wasn't he happy?
Just because there are hard times, does not mean you have sinned.
We second guess our decisions. If I had not married this person... If I didn’t do this…
We rehearse our actions to find what we did wrong.
Maybe you did nothing!
Maybe you are right where God wants you to be.
Consider the early Christians. They suffered horribly—and not because of their sin but because of their faith.
They did not cause their suffering.
God has allowed you these hidden trials.
And they are hidden.
Who can you talk with about your husband’s problem? Or your wife’s issues?
No One.
But God.
Has God forgotten you?—He certainly hasn’t helped change your spouse—much as you’ve prayed for that!
Life looks impossible.
There’s no easy solution.
It’s not marital counseling, when your spouse won’t go.
It’s not drug rehab, when he isn’t interested.
Or if they do go, the counselor says, “divorce him, you are abused and need to get away from him.”
You want to, but is that’s man’s “wisdom”?
Does God sanction divorce in this case?
How do you discern man’s words from God’s Words?
Maybe man knows better in this case.
How else can this problem be solved?
Where is Jesus when your husband is angry and all you can do is cower in the corner?
Jesus isn’t there, like He was to throw the money changers out of the temple.
Is divorce the answer?
We’ve talked about how man’s thoughts are not God’s thoughts. (See Are You a Manipulator?)
“‘For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,’ declares the Lord. ‘For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways. And My thoughts than your thoughts.’” Isaiah 55:8-9.
In fact, often they are opposite.
We’ve talked about how we must be in the Word to know His will.
We can’t hear His Spirit when we are too busy talking and aren’t listening.
Often in the midst of these problems, we are telling God what to do. CHANGE MY SPOUSE!
Not listening to what He wants us to do. Wait for ME!
Our problem is not our spouse.
It’s our focus.
Read that again.
Whenever I’m nit-picking my husband, I’m emphasizing everything wrong. My feelings follow. I don’t like my husband.
When I switch my focus to thank God for those qualities that made me marry him to begin with, my feelings follow.
That doesn’t eliminate the problem, that merely changes my focus.
If those qualities no longer exist, there’s still cause to thank God. Find it.
If you can’t, ask God.
We expect our husbands to love us regardless of how we treat them. We ignore his needs. We disregard his requests. We … yet demand he love us unconditionally. Isn’t that how God loved us?
Ladies, you are to respect your husband.
The Bible does not give that command as a condition.
Not if he deserves it. But regardless of whether he deserves it, do it!
What if his demands are beyond anyone’s ability to meet?
Or he requires something that goes against God’s Word?
No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man. And God is faithful, Who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it. I Corinthians 10:13.
How do we find that escape?
We must be in God’s Word.
Listening to His Spirit.
God didn’t instantly pluck His believers out of harm’s way.
Some died horrible deaths, read Hebrews 11.
Women received back their dead by resurrection; and others were tortured, not accepting their release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection; and others experienced mockings, and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword, they were about in sheepskin, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, illtreated (men of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground. Hebrews 11:35-38.
Does that mean God didn’t answer them?
God deserted them?
Hebrews 11:39 answers that, And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect.
They didn’t keep asking, “What wrong did I do?”
They looked to God, in spite of what they suffered.
They expected to suffer.
It’s easier to endure suffering when everyone knows you’re suffering, then when you suffer silently.
We want to wear it as a badge for everyone to see.
Like the Pharisees who prayed on the street corner with torn robes and long faces.
Jesus rebuked them.
He said, more blessed that you pray in your closet where God hears and no one else does and you wash your face and no one knows your suffering (Matthew 6:6).
Your suffering is not an indication that God isn’t capable of solving your problems.
Maybe God is waiting for you—
Not to ask Him to fix it the way you want.
But just for you to sit in His presence and listen to Him.
Without promises. Without bartering.
And enjoy Him.
Sometimes those answers haven’t come because we’re still telling God how to answer the problem.
God knows already—your problem and the solution.
And it ain’t how you think.
God wants you to forget about the problem and praise Him.
To become so absorbed with Who He is that when you think about the problem, you immediately thank Him for answering it already.
God wants your attention.
God wants your praise.
When you finally give that to Him, you will begin to become part of the answer.
God works on you.
In ways you hadn’t thought possible.
Your focus changes.
Your attitude changes.
The problem doesn’t consume your thoughts anymore—God does.
And you have peace.
What you do is not so important.
God is.
He makes it happen.
That spouse who wants to control you, no longer has control over your mind. Hatred no longer consumes you. God gives you peace. Then love.
But the problem isn’t solved.
Jesus told the disciples that he was going away.
Instantly the disciples became concerned about where he was going.
Jesus answered them, “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me.” John 14:1.
Jesus told the disciples not to look at their surroundings.
He told them, “Look at Me. Trust Me.”
Peace comes first in the heart.
In that heart that rests in His presence.
When we learn to live in His presence—to trust Him, to look to Him instead of our problems, we see the problems of the world as avenues for showing His glory and we can give thanks.
And as we learn to do that, (which takes great effort to stay focused), God works a change in us that conforms us into the image of His Son.
It is not us trying harder to be nice or kind. Or to be strong enough.
It is God working in us, changing us to be like Him.
And when we look back at the problems that caused us to begin this journey, we can truly give God thanks.
For Jesus truly is the answer to everything.
Displaying 1 comment
I write about what matters...to you---
women, wives and moms---
about your family, faith and future.
I write about what's hard, what helps and what heals.
I show you how it's done. And not done.
I hold your hand as you find what matters to the Savior.
And let go of those things that mattered to you, but not to Him.
I write about what matters...to Him.
Sonya Contreras
Faith
Find more articles about faith here:
Dear Faithful and Loyal Readers
Life Falling Apart? Try Gratitude
A Few Words about Marriage
When Suffering Gets Personal
What an Amazing God We Serve
Response to Healthy Gaming
How Miserable Are You? Are You Happy?
The Need for Meaning Even in Pain
Reminders of What's Important
God's Unmeasurable Love
A Quarter of a Century Spent for Our Country
What Were You Thinking?
Who Are You Watching?
Boundaries for a Better Life
God's Boundaries
Memories of a Hero Mom
The Ripple Effect
How Do We Think Like Jesus
Litany of a Waiting Woman
Ever Cook a Frog?
New Year's Reminders
They Galled Her Gammy
When God Speaks
A Russian Christmas Story
Be Thankful
Be Grateful
Are You Tired of the Same, Old Thing?
(reprint)
Laughter—Why Laugh?
Mom
Are You Disturbed?
Unity of the Brothers
Encouragements To Declutter
Do You Have Too Much Stuff?
Too Much Stress
Getting Past the Noise—The Value of Silence
Are You Scatterbrained?
How Good Are You?
Looking for Something Good To Read?
A Cup of Cold Water
I Will Trust When I Cannot See
Encouragement—What Is It?
Being in God's Presence
"Einstein and the Professor"
When God Is Silent
Do You Crave Beauty?
Using Stories to Discipline
The Danger of the Wrong Story
Using Stories to Teach Lessons
God is in charge of the future
November Dare Joy Challenge
Ungratefulness
Developing an Attitude of Gratitude
Looking for Jesus
What Do Your Prayers Reflect?
Life's Little Pleasures
Daniel—Greatly Loved by God
Take Every Thought
Jars of Clay
What Do Your Words Reveal about Your Heart?
How Do You Get Strong Faith?
Too Busy for God's Word?
How Do You Think Like Jesus?
Reflections from a Mom
Pain—What's It Good For?
Why Marry?
Consider the Robin
One Life Who Made a Difference
What Day Are You Living In?
Interrupted by God
Is Jesus Really the Answer to Everything?
Are You Beat Up?
What's Your Hurry?
Are You a Manipulator?
Are You Salty?
Are You Condemned?
Trying to Understand?
Do You Expect Answers to Your Prayers?
Do You Eat Your Stress?
Need Focus?
Going through Trouble?
Immanuel—God with Us
Looking for a Relationship?
When God Says, "No!"
What Do You Do with Left-Overs?
How Great Is Your God?
Are You Needy?
How Do You See Sin?
What Do Your Words Mean?
Is Evil Overwhelming You?
Those Aha Moments
Is Your Soul Happy?
Are You Ignored?
Looking for the God Moment
Do You Know Truth from Almost Truth?
I Believe in Jesus—What Now?
Do You Have Your "Son"-Glasses On?
Less Is More
Singing His Praise
Are You Trying To Do It All?
What Do You Do with All These Prayer Requests?
Have a Problem?
Do You Know How to Pray?
Looking for God in Every Moment
Are You Receptive to God's Blessings?
Tell the Senate: Mothers Aren't Birthing People
Is Your Life Complicated?
How Do We Fight Evil?
Fearfully and Wonderfully Made
Giving Up or Taking Away
the Bible is simple
Are You a Dripping Faucet?
What's Your Testimony?
The Final Move
Be Careful What You Wish For!
Are Your Prayers Answered?
I Choose Joy
What Have You Learned from Your Hardship?
Who Are You Trying to Change?
What's Your Five-Year Plan?
The Danger of "Aloneness"
My Colors
Are You a Whiner?
Are Your Works Approved?
Do You Think You're Stressed?
Is Your Soul Feeling Ragged?
God Speaks to the Heart of the King
What about the Details?
Have You Felt the Long-Suffering of God?
How Does God Lead You?
Do You Have Enough?
Don't Carry More than You Need
Cast the Seed
God Is Faithful
Are You Deceived?
Are You Essential?
Are You Safe?
Are You Tired of the Same Old Thing?
Does the World Make Sense?
Have You Seen God's Majesty?
Do You Feel Judged?
If You Only Had One More Day To Live
Are You Understood?
Do You Long for the Word of God?
Slow Down and Smell the Dead Leaves
Are You Hospitable?
Our Heritage Is Bought by Blood
Are You Disturbed?
Are You Depressed?
I Did It My Way
Finding the Simple Life with Meaning
The Simple Life
Do You Have the Right Words?
Did Your Dream Die?
On the Other Side of the Fence
Marijuana, Mental Illness, and Violence
Confessions of a Desperate Mom
Saving for Tomorrow
A Wedding Remembered
Who Will Stand in the Gap?
Are You a Protector or a Ruler?
Who Are You?
Are You an Image Bearer or a Wad of Cells?
Are You a Watchman?
Where Do You Find Meaning?
The Lamb of God as Told by a Scribe
What Love Is This?
Remember: The Symbols of Passover Explained
Tea and Rest
Do You Have Peace?
What Makes a Marriage Work?
When Life Is Awful
Are You Strong Enough?
Rules
Seasons
Be Faithful through Suffering
Do You Know the Word?
Wake Up! Strengthen What Remains
Are You Spit in God's Mouth?
Is Jezebel in Your Midst?
Do You Stand Against Satan Himself?
Are You Tired of Being a Mom?
What in the World Is Happening?
It's Not My Story
How Would Your Faith Compare?
Are You Sinking?
Are You a Rule Follower?
Useful for Him
An Intimate Moment with Mary
The Worldview that Makes the
Underclass
Thoughts to Ponder
What Does It Take To Know the
Heart of God?
See the Story in the Stars
Do the Scriptures Burn You?
Being in His Presence
Contentment: It's Not for the Timid
How Secure Are You?
How Do You Respond To Stupid People?
The Earthworm Is My Hero
Heart Issues or Issues of the Heart
Things Aren't Always What They Seem
More faith articles are found here:
under the Table of Contents. Also available in book form.
Or here:
under the Table of Contents. Also available in book form.
Articles on Suffering can be found here,
under Table of Contents. Also available in book form.
Special Days
Remember: The Symbols of
Passover Explained
Aug 12, 2017 The Heavens Declare the Glory of God
July 4th, Freedom
What Is an American Soldier?
Valentine's Day: A Day of Love?
Memorial Day-A Day To Remember
Veterans' Day-To Honor Our Men
Fall Colors
First Thanksgiving Day
Proclamation
Christmas: Stories behind the Songs
Christmas: Stories behind the Songs, part 2
Author of Biblical fiction, married to my best friend, and challenged by eight sons’ growing pains as I write about what matters.
One of my favorite songs is Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace. These words say it all. Thanks for sharing, Sonya.