From Problem to Challenge: Learning to Process Life with God

We often say, “I’m going through a problem,” but let's stop and really think about that. Is it truly a problem, or is it actually a challenge we just haven’t yet figured out how to process? 

The truth is, something remains a problem only as long as we don’t have a solution. But the moment we gain understanding, direction, or clarity, it transforms—it becomes a challenge. And here’s where the shift happens for us as believers: we don’t face challenges alone.

As children of God, we must carry this truth deep in our hearts: God is standing on our side, and He is for us. The Apostle Paul reminds us in the book of Romans that “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31). This understanding alone should stir faith in us. It tells us that no matter what we are facing—it's no longer a dead-end problem, but a challenge that can be processed with God's help.

But what happens when we don’t know how to process that challenge? Or when we don’t know where to seek help? That’s when the challenge feels like a problem again. Not because the situation got worse, but because we lack the wisdom or direction to handle it well.

Step 1: Take the Matter to the Lord

The first and most important step is this: take it into the presence of God.

We need to be able to talk to Him transparently and honestly. No matter how deep the hurt, how confused the mind, or how raw the emotion—God invites us to come just as we are. This kind of transparency is a mark of humility, and the Word says that God gives grace to the humble. When we humble ourselves and admit, “Lord, I don’t have it all together,” we are positioning ourselves to receive more grace.

Also, Peter encourages us to cast all our cares on Him, because He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7). That means we don’t have to carry the burden of the situation alone. He wants to hear it all—not just the polished version, but the real, unfiltered version.

Step 2: Try to Know God’s Heart in It

Once you've taken it to the Lord in prayer, the next step is to seek His heart through His Word.

The Bible isn’t just a book of rules or stories—it’s a guide for real life. The psalmist says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105). That means God’s Word helps you know what your next step should be, even when you're standing in the dark. A lamp doesn’t show the whole road—it only lights up the next step. But when light shines down your path, it reveals the direction you’re meant to go.

So in the middle of your confusion, don’t underestimate the power of opening your Bible. It’s there you’ll begin to understand God’s heart for you and for your situation.

Step 3: Try to Hear What the Lord is Speaking

Sometimes, in our desperation to fix the situation, we rush to find a solution before understanding what God is doing. We want the answer without walking through the equation. But God doesn’t always work like that.

Think of it like this: when you’re solving a math problem, you can’t skip the steps and still expect the right answer. In the same way, God wants to teach us something in the process, not just hand us the result.

Isaiah reminds us that God’s thoughts are not our thoughts, and His ways are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8–9). That means His timing, His methods, and His plans are sometimes far different—and far better—than what we would choose on our own.

Learning to listen to God—through prayer, His Word, or even a quiet sense in your spirit—can bring clarity, peace, and direction. Jesus said, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” (John 10:27). He is still speaking. The question is, are we slowing down enough to listen?

Step 4: Seek the Right Help

When pressure builds, our instinct is to look for help—but not all help is good help.

Many times, we run to the wrong sources out of panic. But when we do, we often end up with a second problem, not a solution. God, in His wisdom, has placed leaders, mentors, and spiritual coverings in our lives for moments just like these.

In 1 Samuel 9, when Saul lost his donkeys, God had already appointed Prophet Samuel to guide him—not just to recover the donkeys, but to step into his destiny as king. Right help doesn't only help you resolve an issue—it can point you toward your purpose.

Proverbs tells us that plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many wise advisers, they succeed (Proverbs 15:22). Don’t hesitate to reach out to those whom God has placed in your life to guide you. Their role might be bigger than you realize.

Also remember: you are not the first to face what you’re facing. Somewhere in the world, someone has walked this road—and their story might be your breakthrough.

Step 5: Learn to Recognize the Wrong Help

Just as God sends the right people, the enemy often uses the wrong voices. So we must learn discernment—knowing who not to listen to when trouble comes.

Jesus warned, “If the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit” (Matthew 15:14). That's a strong language. It means that misguided advice leads to deeper trouble, no matter how well-intentioned it may seem.

In times of confusion or crisis, we are vulnerable—and the wrong voice can influence us in ways that lead us further from God’s plan. This is why it's so important to compare advice against the Word of God and the peace in your spirit.

What you’re facing may feel heavy. It may look like a problem. But with the right understanding and the right approach, that same situation can be seen as a challenge—one you’re equipped to overcome with God.

You are not stuck. You are being shaped.

And as Scripture reminds us in Romans 8:37, “In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” You are not just going through this—you are growing through it.