PROBLEMS – This is probably one of the most commonly used words in the vocabulary of any culture. There is no one in all the world who does not come across this word on a regular basis one way or the other. As a matter of fact, our world revolves around problems. All of us individually and collectively regularly face problems in our daily lives. Attitudes to problems vary from person to person. Some run away from problems. Some look for problems. Some hide from problems. Some look for ways of resolving problems. Some succumb to problems. There are all kinds of reactions to problems. So problems, what are they? Blessings or a curse?

In this article I want to present a case to all my readers that problems indeed are not a curse but a blessing. A problem is one of the most beautiful things that could happen to you. A problem is a blessing.

“Problems are the guiding lights along the way of life.” ―DebasishMridha

A LESSON IN HISTORY

A careful study of the history of humanity would stand as a monumental testimony to the fact that problems are indeed a blessing. Most of the technological breakthroughs which we enjoy today are as a result of problems. It used to take half a year to travel from one continent to the other by ship, now it takes 6 hours by plane, thanks to problems.

We used to have telegrams as the fastest form of communication, now we have Skype, Facebook, email, social media, etc. Horses used to be the most effective means of transportation; that was before Mercedes Benz came to town. We used to write with ink and pen, now we have computers, tablets, etc – all as a result of solving problems.

Planes came about as a result of man trying to resolve the problem of transportation. Skype, computer, telephone, all came about in the quest of man to resolve the communication problem. Cars, bicycles, automobiles all came about as a result of the desire of men to solve the mobility problem. Electricity is as result of the desperation of man to solve the energy problem.

Our modern medical breakthroughs are thanks to the health challenges that the generation before us faced. Antibiotics are a result of Mr. Fleming trying to stop the death plague of the 1920s. The list could go on and on. The truth of the matter is, each time we have a problem, a breakthrough is knocking at the door.

“Problems are only opportunities with thorns on them.” ―Hugh Miller

WHAT IS A PROBLEM?

Dear brothers and sisters, the issue is not with problems, but how we see problems. We could either see problems as a blessing or as a limitation. In the real sense, though, problems are supposed to be a door into new opportunities, if we could only relate to them correctly.

Let’s go deeper into the meaning of the word PROBLEM. By my own definition, problems are events, occurrences or conflicts that cause pain, discomfort or suffering. Now that is where the issue is. In this definition we can see the reason why humanity in general, dislikes and even hates problems. The reason is simple, problems cause pain, discomfort and suffering. We don’t like pain. We dislike discomfort and we detest suffering.

I think our attitude and response to problems is understandable because as humans we are created with flesh and a body. The nature of our flesh and body is such that we are uncomfortable with pain or discomfort. So our body dislikes suffering hence it runs away from problems. Our physical body prefers a more conducive and more comfortable condition of life. It is human nature to want to run away from anything that inflicts pain and since problems inflict pain, we dislike them.

So where is my logic here? If we say there is an understandable reason why man dislikes pain and runs away from problems, why should I still call problems and pain a blessing? The reason is because man is not only made of body or flesh. Remember, we say it is the human flesh or body that runs away from pain, but apart from the flesh, man also consists of spirit. Problems therefore act as a stimulant to the spirit of man. Problems challenge our mind.

THE PARADOX OF PROBLEMS

Wisdom therefore demands that despite the pain the body suffers, sometimes problems must still be welcomed to challenge the mind so as to give birth to something superior. The pain that is inflicted by sickness pushes us to challenge our minds, to come up with research and studies that will eventually lead to a medical solution.

“Facing problems? Good. Even cocoon does. It makes the wings stronger you know.” ―Vikrmn

The discomfort that darkness caused man, pushed us to engage the mind to come up with the solution of electricity. The limitation and pain that was caused by a lack of means of transportation led to the invention of automobiles, planes, ships, railways, etc. The agony and sorrow that comes from death led humanity to engage the mind leading to the invention of hospitals, pharmacy, and medicine.

“The problem suggests the solution.” ―Tom Payne

So my friends, whatsoever the pain you need to endure, whatever the nature of problems that you are facing, you could actually convert that pain to result in the productivity of the mind. Every problem must be converted to a challenge for the mind. Every problem should be viewed as a chance, as an opportunity, as a privilege to redirect the pain or discomfort coming from that problem to engage the mind for a better solution. That is the key to problems becoming blessings.

God in His infinite wisdom, has set up life in such a way that life is made up of a series of problems. Maybe better said, life is a circle of problems. Just when you think you have overcome all the problems around, you fall into another circle of some other problems. Just when you are about to finish resolving those ones, you have new ones waiting for you on the horizon. So friends you will never come out of troubles, for which I whole heartedly congratulate you! It gives me an opportunity to enjoy hearty laughter when I hear people say they look forward to overcoming all their problems soon. I take my time to use the occasion to have a good laugh, because it will never happen. Nobody will ever come out of his circle of problems on this side of life.

NO PROBLEM, NO LIFE

Life itself is woven in problems. As a matter of fact, life ceases to be life without problems. Life in itself is synonymous with problems. They are two sides of the same coin. Most of us like to dream of having a family. So for you to have a family you need to marry, but once you marry you invite into your life at least more problems to deal with. To live with another human being under the same roof, gives you at least more problems than you had before. Just as you are getting used to each other and think it is time to settle down and enjoy life, then you probably begin to have the thought of having your own child, and with that process a new problem is initiated. Because with the pregnancy, the lady begins a 9 month process of continuous pain. Meanwhile, the pain and discomfort of the wife causes sleepless nights for the husband. Welcome to a life of problems.

If you survive it after nine months and you have just started rejoicing for the new born baby that has arrived into your family. Soon thereafter, just as you are about to settle down to the thought that you are a happy family, then the reality dawns on you that you might need another car or you need to get a nanny or you need to work harder to save money for the education of the child. All kinds of problems that you had never thought of before you got married, begin to surface left, right and center in your life. All because you desired to have a better life. A better life attracts bigger problems. Soon you might want to have a bigger apartment, which means you need more money. In some families the time comes when they want to have a second baby and the process starts all over again.

Soon that child will need to go from primary to secondary school. The child will need to be clothed, fed, school fees paid and education needs to be provided. Secondary school education leads to a higher institution where responsibilities are even higher. Then the child, now grown up, will need to find a job, where he will discover the salary is small and that he needs to pay for an apartment and get a car for himself, after which he will desire to marry. And the circle repeats itself again and again.

“We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. So then death worketh in us, but life in you.” 2 Corinthians 4:8-12

So the circle of life is a circle of problems. It’s a parallel line that goes together. Ladies and gentlemen, life is made up of problems, meaning problems are a part and parcel of life, so nobody can avoid them. It is not possible. The best response to problems is to learn how to creatively respond to them. The million dollar question is, how do I view problems in a way so that they become a blessing and not a curse?

Problems are such an integral part of life that we cannot physically survive on planet earth without them. Everything about man is about problems. In fact man himself and his composition is all about problems. The composition of man is about problem solving. Everything in life revolves around problems and problem solving. In fact, you are irrelevant in the world without problems. No one is needed on earth without problems because we are all created to solve problems.

•Sunday Adelaja is a Nigerian born leader, Transformation Strategist, Pastor and innovator who lives in Kieve Ukraine. He can be contacted at sundayadelajablog@gmail.com

Update news