Teaching

Let it be all joy to you, my brothers, when you undergo tests of every sort; James 1:2 (BBE)

Everyone has problems. If you tell me you have no problems whatsoever, you’re either a liar, a mental case or living on a different planet. As for planet Earth, us ordinary people and this thing called life, problems are part of the experience -- period!

I have now been what they call a “full-time” minister (with a lot of “over time” I’ve put into it) for some 19 years. I can tell you one thing: there are more problems out there than you and I can imagine! I love to help people. But I’ve noticed something -- there are a lot of people I can’t help. I must accept this fact and learn to live with it and turn it over to God when it becomes too hard to bear.

I’ve seen that people either have real problems or they think they have problems.

I’ve also seen that there are problems and tragedies. You can’t solve a tragedy, tragedies must be survived. Generally speaking, all tragedies lead to a number of problems, but not all problems have to lead to a tragedy.

Tragedies are one of the proofs of the fall of man. God didn’t create mankind and this world in order for people to experience tragedies. But they happen and they happen due to the fact God and man aren’t the only players in our reality. Satan is very much part of the equation.

Satan intervenes both through problems and tragedies. You won’t see a big flashing sign over tragedies that says “MADE IN HELL”, but that’s where they come from.

It’s important to distinguish between problems and tragedy. It’s important to know you and I can seek God for solutions to problems.

If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. James 1:5 (KJVS)

God has a different grace for those who experience a tragedy.

Losing your job is not a tragedy, losing a child is.

Breaking your arm is not a tragedy, breaking your marriage vow is.

Your business going bankrupt is not a tragedy, you going spiritually bankrupt is.

When you distinguish between these various kinds and measures of trials, you will be able to more successfully navigate through life.

George Bakalov (c) 2009. Source: www.georgebakalov.com
George P. Bakalov