All of us deal with issues from time to time. If you are facing an issue that is causing you stress or anxiety or making you feel discouraged and down, it is important to remember that you are not alone and there’s help. The first step is to take a deep breath and take a short look at the issue with which you are dealing. You might discover that your problem is not as discouraging as you thought.
Remember that you cannot always resolve your problem without help. And you certainly cannot resolve your problem by ignoring it or becoming fixated and immobilized by it either. Author Frank Herbert said, “Anything outside yourself, this you can see and apply your logic to it. But it’s a human trait that when we encounter personal problems, these things most deeply personal are the most difficult to bring out for our logic to scan. We tend to flounder around, blaming everything but the actual, deep-seated thing that’s really chewing on us.”
We often avoid facing our problems, but this can only lead to more problems down the road. Our problems can be caused by other people or by social circumstances beyond our control. In these cases, it is important to remember that we are not alone and that there are people who can help us.
Sometimes, the problems we face can help us discover fresh solutions. For example, when Dr. Alexander Fleming was working on a culture in St. Mary’s Hospital in London, mold accidentally contaminated it. However, this led to the discovery of penicillin, a miracle drug that has saved millions of lives.
Perhaps you are facing something negative today. Have you thought about trying to find a positive opportunity in it somewhere, somehow? Sometimes we can benefit from looking at our problems as opportunities for change. This can help us to resolve our own problems as well as the problems of others who may be experiencing similar challenges.
Your problems can cause you to turn to God for answers. The prophet Jeremiah understood this, and he prayed to God, saying, “Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.”
Once you recognize and analyze the problem, focus on the solution. I encourage you to turn to God in prayer. Trust that he will answer your prayers and Never Give Up! Never Give Up! Never Give Up!

By Dr. Walter Ghosten
chaplain@lhp.net