" If you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you can say to your
mountain move and it will move, and nothing will be impossible to you."
These words of Jesus do not say, "If you have faith (or a positive
attitude) toward a mountain it'll go away." No! He said, "If you have
faith, the mountain will MOVE!"
The mountain will move. It will
change shape. It will appear less formidable. The haze will lift, a
path will appear. Why? Because now you have faith. Now you have a new
attitude toward your mountain. You are no longer looking at it out of
fear or anger. Now you see it as a glorious challenge!
Problems can:
1. Embarrass you.
2. Anger you.
3. Confuse you.
4. Intimidate you.
5. Depress you.
6. Control you.
7. Buffalo you.
8. Stop you.
9. Mislead you.
10. Paralyze you.
#1: When they: Embarrass you. Recognize that: It's O.K. to have problemsProblems are O.K.
When
you can adopt the positive attitude that problems are O.K., then you
have a solution to the embarrassment that problems can bring. If you
have a problem, don't be embarrassed about it. Problems are natural.
So
often in my role as a pastor, I have seen embarrassment hold people
back from seeking the help they need. Young couples, struggling to make
their marriage work, are always embarrassed when they come to see me.
It is such a shame, because too often they let the embarrassment
prolong the problem, allowing it to get worse.
I say to these
young couples, "It's O.K. to have a problem. Don't be embarrassed
because you are here. All marriages require adjustments from time to
time."
Then I take my wrist watch off and add, ìHere's a watch.
You can engineer the gears and the springs so that it will run
perfectly. Why? Because the parts retain their same size forever. But,
if this watch was made out of independent gears that could grow, then
you would have to expect to make adjustments over the years. One gear
would grow a little faster than another and before long the watch would
be jammed up. You want your marriage to run harmoniously like a watch.
However, you are two independent individuals. You are not constant
gears. You are growing and changing. Don't expect your growth rate to
be the same. You will need constant retuning."
When you deal with
the embarrassment that a problem brings, you are taking the first step
toward solving it, you are dealing with it on a very profound and
redemptive level. At that point, the problem has already changed shape.
#2. When a problem angers you, recognize that you helped create your problems.
I don't think I've ever had a problem that I didn't create to some degree.
A husband says, "My wife is my problem!"
To which I reply, "You chose to marry her!"
An employee says, "My company is my problem!"
To which I say, "Who told you to work in that company?"
If
you will look at the root of your life's problems, in every instance
you will see that you created it. You made a decision, and as a result
you now have this problem.
Once you can honestly accept some of
the responsibility for your problems, you will find that you have
diffused your anger. You can't blame others any longer. You can now be
free from victimitis and self-pity.
#3. When a problem confuses you, recognize that No problem is ever "a" single problem. Problems are always complex. Understanding that will clarify the confusion.
Break
down your big problem into several smaller problems. For instance, if
you are unemployed, that is the big problem that you are facing. It
feels overwhelming and confusing. However, once you have broken it down
into smaller problems, then you can handle the smaller options one at a
time. Perhaps one of the smaller problems is that you need to learn
some new skills. You can handle that problem by looking into a course
that will teach you what you need in order to get ahead.
Overwhelmed
by your problem? Divide it up and deal with each one individually.
Confusion now can be replaced with clarity. Your problem, your
mountain, is beginning to move!
#4. When a problem intimidates you, recognize that Every problem has met its match somewhere.
There's
a miracle to match every mountain. You only need to find it. It is
there! You will find it! If you look hard and long enough! So, if you
feel intimidated by your problem, believe and know that there is a
solution somewhere that is matched for the problem. Once you can change
your attitude toward your problem, you are no longer intimidated by it
and you will begin to think of possibilities. You will think of people
who can help you find the solution. You're on your way!
#5. When a problem depresses you, recognize that Every problem is pregnant with a possibility.
This
problem is good for you. You will benefit from this. You will grow from
it. You will be a bigger and a better person because of it.
In
Idaho, the potato farmers who want to get the best price for their
potatoes, sort them according to their size: small, medium, and large.
My friend told me of farmer, however, who had the reputation for being
lazy. He just took all of his potatoes, and threw them onto the truck
and drove them into town. As far as everybody knew, this farmer was
paid the lowest price for his spuds. Everybody made fun of him until
one day, one of the ambitious farmers happened to be there when the
lazy farmer got paid for his potatoes. He noticed that the lazy farmer
got the same high price that the other farmers got, who took the time
to sort their potatoes. The ambitious farmer complained to the owner of
the cooperative. The buyer replied, "Oh, he sorts his potatoes!"
"Oh
no, he doesn't. We all know what he does. He takes them right out of
the ground. He puts 'em on the truck and he hauls 'em to town. He never
bothers to sort 'em."
The lazy farmer was at the door and he
overheard the conversation. He said, "I sort my potatoes. I just do it
differently than you. I always take the rough road into town, for big
potatoes always rise to the top on a rough road."
The ambitious
farmer went out to the truck with the lazy farmer and looked at the
truck. Sure enough. The little potatoes were all at the bottom. The
middle size potatoes were in the middle. The big ones were at the top!
When you go through rough times, if your heart is right, you will rise to the top.
#6. When a problem controls you, recognize that Every problem is either solvable or manageable.
You
can have control over your problem when you realize that it does not
have control over you. There is no need for problems to have control,
and the way you can get back in the driver's seat is to adopt a
positive mental attitude toward your problem. There is no such thing as
an unsolvable or unmanageable problem. That is the truth. All other
negative attitudes are just illusions that can drain the creative
energy needed to find the solution. Change your perception of the
problem. Once you do that you have changed the shape of the problem.
You are on your way! You can do it! You can lick this problem! You can
say to your mountain move, and IT WILL MOVE!
#7. When a problem buffalos you, recognize that No problem is totally impossible.
When problems come they tend to buffalo us. We have to stop and say,
"Wait a minute! It's not totally impossible. There is some part of the
problem that I can deal with. I'm going to find out what part that is,
and deal with it positively. And as soon as I deal with a chunk of the
problem, I've taken a piece of the mountain off and the mountain has
changed shape.î
# 8. When a problem stops you, recognize that Every problem is temporary.
I talked to a young man this week who was threatening suicide. I said to him, " I think it's a dumb thing to do."
He replied, "You wouldn't say that if you were in my spot."
"I'd still think it's a dumb thing." I repeated, "Because suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem."
Problems
are temporary. When we encounter problems we tend to think that we will
be forever faced with this problem. It will never go away. It will
plague us the rest of our lives. Nothing could be further from the
truth! The truth is that you will go through this problem, and you will
emerge on the other side of it victorious!
#9. When a problem misleads you, recognize that Problems are distortions.
As soon as you can recognize this positive attitude toward your
problems and face the distortions that are there, then you can keep
your problems from misleading and misdirecting you.
Every problem
has a distortion in it. Problems have a tendency to reflect life much
like the fun mirror in the carnival. It would not be intelligent to
base decisions on your appearance after you've looked at yourself in
such a mirror, would it? Neither would it be smart to base decisions on
your life based on the distortions that a problem is causing. That is
why I have always advised my family, "Never, never, NEVER make an
irreversible decision during a low time of your life. Wait! Let the
immediate negative impact of a problem fade before you make a hasty
decision that you will later regret."
#10. When a problem paralyzes you, recognize that Problems are only decisions waiting to be made.
If
I face my problem deep enough, long enough and carefully enough, I will
finally come to the realization that I don't have a problem at all. I
just have a decision to make. And the reason I call it a problem is
that the decision is scary, risky or unpleasant. I wish I didn't have
to do it.
Once you recognize that a problem is only a decision,
then you are in control of the problem and when God is in control of
your life, then you can rest assured that He will help you make the
right decision.
mountain move and it will move, and nothing will be impossible to you."
These words of Jesus do not say, "If you have faith (or a positive
attitude) toward a mountain it'll go away." No! He said, "If you have
faith, the mountain will MOVE!"
The mountain will move. It will
change shape. It will appear less formidable. The haze will lift, a
path will appear. Why? Because now you have faith. Now you have a new
attitude toward your mountain. You are no longer looking at it out of
fear or anger. Now you see it as a glorious challenge!
Problems can:
1. Embarrass you.
2. Anger you.
3. Confuse you.
4. Intimidate you.
5. Depress you.
6. Control you.
7. Buffalo you.
8. Stop you.
9. Mislead you.
10. Paralyze you.
#1: When they: Embarrass you. Recognize that: It's O.K. to have problemsProblems are O.K.
When
you can adopt the positive attitude that problems are O.K., then you
have a solution to the embarrassment that problems can bring. If you
have a problem, don't be embarrassed about it. Problems are natural.
So
often in my role as a pastor, I have seen embarrassment hold people
back from seeking the help they need. Young couples, struggling to make
their marriage work, are always embarrassed when they come to see me.
It is such a shame, because too often they let the embarrassment
prolong the problem, allowing it to get worse.
I say to these
young couples, "It's O.K. to have a problem. Don't be embarrassed
because you are here. All marriages require adjustments from time to
time."
Then I take my wrist watch off and add, ìHere's a watch.
You can engineer the gears and the springs so that it will run
perfectly. Why? Because the parts retain their same size forever. But,
if this watch was made out of independent gears that could grow, then
you would have to expect to make adjustments over the years. One gear
would grow a little faster than another and before long the watch would
be jammed up. You want your marriage to run harmoniously like a watch.
However, you are two independent individuals. You are not constant
gears. You are growing and changing. Don't expect your growth rate to
be the same. You will need constant retuning."
When you deal with
the embarrassment that a problem brings, you are taking the first step
toward solving it, you are dealing with it on a very profound and
redemptive level. At that point, the problem has already changed shape.
#2. When a problem angers you, recognize that you helped create your problems.
I don't think I've ever had a problem that I didn't create to some degree.
A husband says, "My wife is my problem!"
To which I reply, "You chose to marry her!"
An employee says, "My company is my problem!"
To which I say, "Who told you to work in that company?"
If
you will look at the root of your life's problems, in every instance
you will see that you created it. You made a decision, and as a result
you now have this problem.
Once you can honestly accept some of
the responsibility for your problems, you will find that you have
diffused your anger. You can't blame others any longer. You can now be
free from victimitis and self-pity.
#3. When a problem confuses you, recognize that No problem is ever "a" single problem. Problems are always complex. Understanding that will clarify the confusion.
Break
down your big problem into several smaller problems. For instance, if
you are unemployed, that is the big problem that you are facing. It
feels overwhelming and confusing. However, once you have broken it down
into smaller problems, then you can handle the smaller options one at a
time. Perhaps one of the smaller problems is that you need to learn
some new skills. You can handle that problem by looking into a course
that will teach you what you need in order to get ahead.
Overwhelmed
by your problem? Divide it up and deal with each one individually.
Confusion now can be replaced with clarity. Your problem, your
mountain, is beginning to move!
#4. When a problem intimidates you, recognize that Every problem has met its match somewhere.
There's
a miracle to match every mountain. You only need to find it. It is
there! You will find it! If you look hard and long enough! So, if you
feel intimidated by your problem, believe and know that there is a
solution somewhere that is matched for the problem. Once you can change
your attitude toward your problem, you are no longer intimidated by it
and you will begin to think of possibilities. You will think of people
who can help you find the solution. You're on your way!
#5. When a problem depresses you, recognize that Every problem is pregnant with a possibility.
This
problem is good for you. You will benefit from this. You will grow from
it. You will be a bigger and a better person because of it.
In
Idaho, the potato farmers who want to get the best price for their
potatoes, sort them according to their size: small, medium, and large.
My friend told me of farmer, however, who had the reputation for being
lazy. He just took all of his potatoes, and threw them onto the truck
and drove them into town. As far as everybody knew, this farmer was
paid the lowest price for his spuds. Everybody made fun of him until
one day, one of the ambitious farmers happened to be there when the
lazy farmer got paid for his potatoes. He noticed that the lazy farmer
got the same high price that the other farmers got, who took the time
to sort their potatoes. The ambitious farmer complained to the owner of
the cooperative. The buyer replied, "Oh, he sorts his potatoes!"
"Oh
no, he doesn't. We all know what he does. He takes them right out of
the ground. He puts 'em on the truck and he hauls 'em to town. He never
bothers to sort 'em."
The lazy farmer was at the door and he
overheard the conversation. He said, "I sort my potatoes. I just do it
differently than you. I always take the rough road into town, for big
potatoes always rise to the top on a rough road."
The ambitious
farmer went out to the truck with the lazy farmer and looked at the
truck. Sure enough. The little potatoes were all at the bottom. The
middle size potatoes were in the middle. The big ones were at the top!
When you go through rough times, if your heart is right, you will rise to the top.
#6. When a problem controls you, recognize that Every problem is either solvable or manageable.
You
can have control over your problem when you realize that it does not
have control over you. There is no need for problems to have control,
and the way you can get back in the driver's seat is to adopt a
positive mental attitude toward your problem. There is no such thing as
an unsolvable or unmanageable problem. That is the truth. All other
negative attitudes are just illusions that can drain the creative
energy needed to find the solution. Change your perception of the
problem. Once you do that you have changed the shape of the problem.
You are on your way! You can do it! You can lick this problem! You can
say to your mountain move, and IT WILL MOVE!
#7. When a problem buffalos you, recognize that No problem is totally impossible.
When problems come they tend to buffalo us. We have to stop and say,
"Wait a minute! It's not totally impossible. There is some part of the
problem that I can deal with. I'm going to find out what part that is,
and deal with it positively. And as soon as I deal with a chunk of the
problem, I've taken a piece of the mountain off and the mountain has
changed shape.î
# 8. When a problem stops you, recognize that Every problem is temporary.
I talked to a young man this week who was threatening suicide. I said to him, " I think it's a dumb thing to do."
He replied, "You wouldn't say that if you were in my spot."
"I'd still think it's a dumb thing." I repeated, "Because suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem."
Problems
are temporary. When we encounter problems we tend to think that we will
be forever faced with this problem. It will never go away. It will
plague us the rest of our lives. Nothing could be further from the
truth! The truth is that you will go through this problem, and you will
emerge on the other side of it victorious!
#9. When a problem misleads you, recognize that Problems are distortions.
As soon as you can recognize this positive attitude toward your
problems and face the distortions that are there, then you can keep
your problems from misleading and misdirecting you.
Every problem
has a distortion in it. Problems have a tendency to reflect life much
like the fun mirror in the carnival. It would not be intelligent to
base decisions on your appearance after you've looked at yourself in
such a mirror, would it? Neither would it be smart to base decisions on
your life based on the distortions that a problem is causing. That is
why I have always advised my family, "Never, never, NEVER make an
irreversible decision during a low time of your life. Wait! Let the
immediate negative impact of a problem fade before you make a hasty
decision that you will later regret."
#10. When a problem paralyzes you, recognize that Problems are only decisions waiting to be made.
If
I face my problem deep enough, long enough and carefully enough, I will
finally come to the realization that I don't have a problem at all. I
just have a decision to make. And the reason I call it a problem is
that the decision is scary, risky or unpleasant. I wish I didn't have
to do it.
Once you recognize that a problem is only a decision,
then you are in control of the problem and when God is in control of
your life, then you can rest assured that He will help you make the
right decision.
