Do you have a problem—a difficulty? Are you enjoying life to the fullest? Most people have some problem which spoils their happiness, and makes them sad and worried. This problem may be a sickness, a loss of a friend, lack of money, lack of necessities, loneliness, weakness, a burden of sin, a guilty conscience, or many other things. It may be that you want something that you do not have, or that you want to get rid of something that you do have. It may be an unpleasant duty that you need to perform, one that you do not enjoy doing. Many people suffer with their problems all through their lives, and carry them to their graves, while it is not necessary; because, to every problem there is a remedy, a solution.

This perfect, complete remedy is found in the good, old Bible. It has all the answers. It has never let anyone down who has followed its counsel. There is a medicine for every difficulty, but many refuse to take this medicine, and therefore they remain in their miserable condition.

Many are seeking for the solution, but in the wrong place, and never find it. Such are the people in the Laodicean church, who say, “I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.” Revelation 3:17

One problem from which people suffer is the burden of sin. Sin brings on guilty feelings and remorse; and if no remedy is applied, it will lead to hardening of the heart, and separation from God and from His church. But a remedy is available for it. “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land.” Isaiah 1:18–19

To the sinner forgiveness is freely offered. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9

To live with unconfessed sins on your conscience is truly a miserable existence. No joy or peace can enter into your heart if there are unconfessed, hidden sins. We must make a full surrender and say like Ancient Israel, “All that the Lord has spoken we will do.” And then pray to the Lord for strength and wisdom to follow through with our commitment because we cannot do it on our own.

Another problem for some people is loneliness. To this problem also a remedy is available. “A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24. A selfish person will not make a true friend. True friendship requires sacrifice and unselfish attention. There is a friend that is closer to us than a brother. Who is this friend? Jesus Christ our Saviour.

Jesus was often left alone by the people, but He said, “I am not alone, because the Father is with Me.” John 16:32. A person who has opened his heart to Jesus is never lonely. Missionary work is one of the best medicines for loneliness. Visit the people, study with them, comfort them, and pray with them.

If there is someone with an anxious heart, surrounded by worry and care, there is a remedy also for restless hearts. “Come unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.  For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28–30

If your problem is that you are lacking something important, whether it be money, a job, a car, or other necessities, then God has promised to provide all that we need. “He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” Romans 8:32

The remedy to this problem is the words of Jesus, “Give, and it shall be given unto you.” Luke 6:38

“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33

“Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed Me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed Thee? In tithes and offerings. Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed Me, even this whole nation. Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in Mine house, and prove Me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground: neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.” Malachi 3:8–11

In clear language, the Bible shows the remedy to the problem of lacking necessities. God knows all our needs and He is rich; He is able to supply them all, but we must do our part. We must invest our money in the bank of heaven, which pays the highest interest of all banks.

Love is the solution to several problems. It can change our enemies into our friends. The Syrian army was constantly harassing the people of Israel. Time and time again they came to fight a war against them. Once again they came to fight against Israel. Elisha prayed to God to blind their eyes, and Elisha led them right to the camp of Israel. The king of Israel now saw a golden opportunity to pay back his long time enemy. But what did Elisha tell him to do?

“And the king of Israel said unto Elisha, when he saw them, My father, shall I smite them? shall I smite them? And he answered, Thou shalt not smite them: wouldest thou smite those whom thou hast taken captive with thy sword and with thy bow? set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink, and go to their master. And he prepared great provision for them: and when they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they went to their master. So the bands of Syria came no more into the land of Israel.” 2 Kings 6:21–23. By love and kindness, the continuous war stopped.

Sometimes our problem is that we do not get along with others. Then what do we need to do? “If it be possible, as such as lieth in you, leave peaceably with all men.” Romans 12:18

By sowing seeds of kindness, seeds of love, seeds of friendliness, and seeds of forgiveness, many problems will be solved.

Satan also offers his medicine to us. He says it will make our lives happy. He offers parties, entertainment, alcohol, smoking, drugs, pleasure in sin, and self-indulgence.  Instead of healing though, he poisons the mind, body, and soul until the sickness becomes incurable.

We do not need to go to Satan. There is a God in Israel; there is a balm in Gilead. “Is there no balm in Gilead; is there no physician there? why then is not the health of the daughter of My people recovered?” Jeremiah 8:22. There is the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, to comfort and sooth our sorrows, and to heal the broken heart.

We must be satisfied with what God has given us. Complaining to God is a great sin. “Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.” 1 Corinthians 10:10. Sometimes our problem is great, like a mountain before us, but what has God said to us? “Who art thou, O great mountain? before Zerubbabel thou shalt become a plain.” Zechariah 4:7

We are also called to be burden bearers to help suffering people with their problems. “Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?” Isaiah 58:6–7

Wherever we look we see suffering people, and we are to go to them in the name of Jesus, and bring peace and sunshine into their dark, joyless lives. We are to them fountains of living waters. And wherever we go, we need to take Christ with us, and at the same time we receive healing to our own souls. Amen.

Timo Martin