OVERCOMING PROBLEMS by Pastor Brendan Kirby

A message by Pastor Brendan Kirby on "Overcoming problems with prayer and devotion to God". Let us challenge one another to believe that every problem that comes into our lives can be solved and overcome, amen!

James 5: 13 – 18 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. 18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit. 

 1. Is Anyone Among Us Suffering? Let Us Pray: 

James 5: 13 “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms.” Who has problems or difficulties? The apostle James encourages us to pray.

- When we start receiving God’s assistance – this helps to remove doubt
- Doubt makes us think that things will never get better. 

a) What is our normal response when problems come into our lives? Do we panic, get overwhelmed and reach for the nearest chocolate bar? Or do we reach up to heaven for some supernatural support? •

Let us begin to speak to our long term problems today! Tell them their time is over! For some of you – your doubts are getting smaller today!  For some of you – your suffering is going to come to an end soon, amen!

2. List out Our Problems and Describe Them: 

Phil 4: 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 

Some of the problems we have are actually just “feelings”.

- these type of problems we can remove by thinking clearly;
- this helps to remove confusion
- Confusion makes us think that there are more problems than there really are

Some of the problems we have are valid, and it helps to write them down;
- Writing down the problem helps keep the problem within a reasonable scope;
- Otherwise we begin to think it is the end of the world!
- This strategy helps to brings things into focus.

b) Are we able to think clearly in making progress to beat our problems? Do we just get upset and worried? Try writing down a list of difficulties that need to be addressed – perhaps it can help us to relax as we realise we do not have as many problems as we thought.

• Today is your day for a miracle – begin to believe – see yourself overcoming!

 3. As We Pray – Decide Not to Be Afraid – and Practise Keeping Cool: 

Isaiah 41: 10 “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.” 

A lot of worry and anxiety is generated by the fear of “what might happen”.

Overcoming fear can be a big part of our problem.

- This helps to limit the size of the problem
- fear makes it grow out of proportion

c) Fear can be crippling and rob us of our strength. Share with your group some situations where you have been able to overcome some of your fear and do something to be a blessing to others?

• Tell your fear today that you no longer will keep company with it!

4. When we pray – Decide upon the Most Logical and Practical Approach to Begin Solving Our Problem: 

James 1: 5 “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” 

Make sure we have already done what we know the Lord has already told us to do!

Look for practical opportunities that the Lord might be suggesting to us:

- Start studying – or keep looking for a job; Find different friendships;
- Leave treasured memories and the past behind (no-one can change our past – not even God – but our future is an open door!);
- Look for a house or a car to purchase;
- Talk to others and collect good ideas;
- Prepare for and Focus on the Future and learn from the past; (do not focus on the past and fear the future!).

d) Do we shrink back from our problems? Give an example to the group of how you have overcome one problem. When will we be able to believe that every problem can be solved?

• Today your problems are going to begin to dissolve in Jesus’ name, amen!

5. When We Pray – Persevere and Don’t Give Up! 

Heb 10: 36 “For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise …” 

Do our Best – push hard – don’t give up, amen! God will help you – He will never leave you nor forsake you, amen!

• For some of you – today is your day of breakthrough – amen!

e) Perseverance is a tremendous asset to have in our character. How do we feel when asked to continue to do something we do not particularly enjoy? Do we grumble and complain, or can we practise being patient and persevering?

Conclusion: 

As we become more devoted to prayer, we can see our problems solved in a better manner, overcome in shorter time and removed with less effort – because God is with us, who can be against us (Rom 8: 31), amen! As long as we live we will have problems (John 16: 33) but the Lord will lead us through the mine field into victory in each case. Problems are here to be solved, not to be feared or run away from!