Problems and SolutionsНамуна

Ignoring Problems  

The phone rings and there is a frantic call to the herpetologists to come catch a snake that has been spotted in their kitchen. On arrival, unsure of its breed, they poke around cautiously in all the possible hiding places, in a superficially neat and clean kitchen, then get down to looking under the cabinets. With their hooks, they drag out an unimaginable load of filth and rubbish, bits of rope, plastic, chewed up paper, stale food and cloth, enough to fill three huge plastic garbage sacks, and along with it, the recalcitrant snake, which has been feeding on the rats and enjoying its rent-free quarters, quite undisturbed. The home owners, though aware that something was wrong, did not want to deal with the problem till it got out hand.

Problems come to everybody. If we ignore them, hide them or refuse to deal with them, they start accumulating and growing in strength, making them that much harder to solve. Whatever our situation, we can take it to God in prayer. He never tires of hearing our voice, and like a parent who is patient and loving, (well, most of the time!) with the child clinging to his knees and being annoyingly repetitive, He too listens and provides answers, when we ask in faith. Psalm 62:8 assures us, “Trust in Him at all times, and pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us.”

Don’t go to bed angry. Before the day is out, clean your slate. Will you allow a thorn in your foot to fester, hoping that it will go away on its own? Won’t you deal with it? Similarly, if you bear a grudge, pray, then go sort out the issue with the concerned person and be reconciled.

King Saul became David’s sworn enemy because seeds of jealousy and bitterness were sown in his heart when he got more praise than him in 1Samuel 18:7. Instead of being angry and greatly displeased, had he recognized David’s worth and said, “Yes, David is a man of great prowess. I’m going to elevate him to the post of general, as he deserves,” God’s healing balm of forgiveness would have soothed his ruffled feathers. 

Overcoming jealousy, hatred, anger, bitterness and a host of other harmful emotions is possible only when we seek God’s help. Make good decisions and move with the right people, for bad company corrupts good morals.