God's Answers to Life's Difficult Questions

1. Stress Management: Know Yourself and Your Priorities

If I “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness,” then all the other necessary things of life will be added unto me (Matt. 6:33 KJV).

Self-awareness is key. Managing stress begins with understanding who you are, whose you are, and what truly matters to you. This involves identifying your values, strengths, and weaknesses, and aligning your life with your core beliefs. Without this internal compass, you're susceptible to external pressures and expectations, leading to increased stress and anxiety.

Prioritize pleasing God. A significant source of stress comes from trying to please everyone. Jesus modeled a life focused on pleasing God, not people. This doesn't mean neglecting responsibilities, but rather making decisions based on God's will and trusting that He will provide. This simplifies life and reduces the burden of external validation.

Organization and focus. Effective stress management also requires organization and focus. This involves setting clear goals, prioritizing tasks, and concentrating on one thing at a time. By planning your day and aligning your activities with your priorities, you can avoid the tyranny of the urgent and create a sense of control amidst chaos.

2. Rebounding from Failure: Embrace God's Presence and Promises

God doesn’t sponsor flops.

God is interested in your success. Recognize that God desires your success and well-being. He doesn't want you to remain stuck in failure. This understanding shifts your perspective from one of defeat to one of hope and possibility.

Invite God into your "boat." Just as Peter invited Jesus into his boat, invite God into every aspect of your life – your work, relationships, and personal pursuits. This means making your resources and talents available for God's purposes, trusting that He will bless what you give Him.

Cooperate with God's plan. Rebounding from failure requires cooperating with God's plan for your life. This involves seeking His guidance, obeying His instructions, and trusting that He knows what's best for you, even when it doesn't make sense. It also means anticipating God's promises and expecting Him to act on your behalf.

3. Defeating Depression: Renew Your Mind and Take Action

You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free (John 8:32).

Emotions follow thoughts. Depression often stems from faulty thinking patterns. Negative thoughts lead to negative emotions. To overcome depression, you must challenge and correct these distorted thought patterns.

Focus on facts, not feelings. When depressed, it's easy to get caught up in your feelings. However, feelings are not always reliable indicators of reality. Focus on the facts, on what is true, rather than on how you feel. This involves identifying and challenging negative thought patterns, such as emotional reasoning, comparing yourself to others, taking false blame, and exaggerating the negative.

Take care of your physical needs. Depression can be exacerbated by physical neglect. Prioritize your physical well-being by getting enough sleep, eating nutritious foods, and exercising regularly. These simple actions can have a profound impact on your mood and energy levels. Give your frustrations to God, get a fresh awareness of God, and gain a new direction for your life.

4. Living Above Average: Cultivate Ambition, Faith, and Prayer

Attempt great things for God; expect great things from God.

Great ambition is essential. Don't settle for mediocrity. God created you for excellence and has a unique purpose for your life. Cultivate a great ambition, a dream that aligns with God's will and challenges you to grow.

Growing faith is crucial. Believe that God can work through you to accomplish great things. Don't let fear or insecurity hold you back. Trust that God will provide the necessary resources and guidance to fulfill your purpose.

Genuine prayer unlocks potential. Communicate with God regularly, asking for His power, presence, and protection. Be specific in your requests and expect Him to answer. Remember that God is not limited by your imagination and can do immeasurably more than you can ask or think.

5. Peace of Mind: Settle Life's Fundamental Issues

By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw that he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict (Heb. 11:23).

Know who you are. Understand your identity in Christ. Don't try to be someone you're not. Accept yourself as God created you, with your unique strengths and weaknesses. This self-acceptance is the foundation for peace of mind.

Accept your responsibilities. Take ownership of your life and your choices. Don't blame others for your circumstances. Choose to respond to life's challenges with a positive attitude and a spirit of faith.

Decide your priorities. Determine what is truly important in life and align your actions accordingly. Don't get caught up in the pursuit of popularity, pleasure, or possessions. Focus on eternal values and seek first the kingdom of God.

6. Handling Discouragement: Reorganize, Remember, and Resist

So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart (v. 6).

Reorganize your approach. When discouragement strikes, don't give up on your goals. Instead, re-evaluate your strategy and find a better way to achieve them. This may involve reorganizing your time, schedule, or priorities.

Remember the Lord. Recommit yourself to God and draw on His spiritual power. Remember His goodness in the past, His presence in the present, and His power for the future. Focus on the Lord rather than on your circumstances.

Resist discouragement. Don't yield to negative thoughts and feelings. Fight against discouragement by resisting the devil and his lies. Refuse to give in to despair and choose to persevere in faith.

7. Overcoming Problems: Surrender to God's Strength

We have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do (2 Chron. 20:12).

Identify the true enemy. Recognize that the enemy is often not a person or situation, but your own negative attitude. Your response to the problem is more important than the problem itself.

Admit your inadequacy. Acknowledge that you cannot solve the problem on your own. Surrender your pride and ask for God's help. Focus your eyes on the Lord, trusting that He has the power to overcome any obstacle.

Take it to the Lord in prayer. Make prayer your first weapon, not your last resort. Seek God's guidance and wisdom in every situation. Remember that Jesus fought His biggest battles in prayer.

8. Confidence in Crisis: Anchor Yourself in God's Truth

Last night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve stood beside me and said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul (Acts 27:23–24).

God's presence is constant. Even in the midst of the storm, God is with you. You may not see Him, but He sees you. He will never leave you nor forsake you.

God's purpose is unwavering. God has a plan for your life that is greater than any temporary crisis. Storms are simply setbacks on the path to fulfilling that purpose. Focus on God's purpose rather than on your problems.

God's promise is sure. God keeps His promises without fail. You may lose everything else, but you will not lose God's promise. Trust in His faithfulness and be confident that He will bring you safely through the storm.

9. Transformation: Cooperate with God's Changing Process

I will not let you go unless you bless me (Gen. 32:26).

Crisis is the catalyst. God often uses crises to get our attention and initiate change. These challenging situations reveal our weaknesses and motivate us to seek His help.

Commitment is essential. Don't give up when the going gets tough. Commit to staying with the process until God blesses you and turns the situation around for good.

Confession is necessary. Honestly acknowledge your faults, sins, weaknesses, and mistakes. God cannot work on your problem until you admit that you have one.

10. Learning from Mistakes: Take God Seriously

Since you’ve acted like this, I won’t stop until I get my revenge on you (v. 7).

Refuse to repeat failures. Identify your weaknesses and take steps to control them. Don't allow yourself to fall into the same patterns of sin and failure.

Choose your friends wisely. Surround yourself with people who encourage you, build you up, and help you live for God. Avoid negative associations that lead you astray.

Take God seriously in all areas. Make God the center of your life. Seek His guidance in every decision and live according to His principles. Don't treat God as an afterthought or a convenience.

11. Overcoming Loneliness: Utilize Time, Minimize Hurt, Recognize God, Empathize

Do your best to come to me quickly (v. 9).

Utilize your time wisely. Make the best of your situation by engaging in meaningful activities. Resist the temptation to do nothing and find creative ways to use your time productively.

Minimize the hurt. Don't exaggerate your loneliness or allow it to make you bitter. Play down the hurt and refuse to let resentment build up in your life.

Recognize God's presence. Remember that God is always with you, even in your loneliness. Talk to Him in prayer and let Him speak to you. Find comfort and strength in His presence.

12. Responding to Injustice: Trust God's Sovereignty and Purpose

You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives (Gen. 50:20).

God is sovereign. Even when others mistreat you, God is in control. He can use even the most painful experiences for His glory and your good.

God has a purpose. Trust that God has a purpose for your suffering. He may not reveal it immediately, but He will eventually bring good out of it.

Forgive those who hurt you. Don't hold onto bitterness or resentment. Forgive those who have wronged you, just as God has forgiven you. This will release you from the prison of anger and allow you to move forward in peace.

Last updated: February 28, 2025