I will always remember the first person who said to me. . .you don’t know the problems I’ve got.

I said, “you’re right and I don’t want to know.”

It’s not that I wasn’t compassionate about his situation … but I knew I had to provoke this man’s thinking because his focus was on his problems and not his solution.

I told him that circumstances are defined as the circle you’re standing in . . . but if you’re moving from glory unto glory. . .you will be leaving your circumstances and problems behind.

Then I shared with him Romans 8:26 in The Living Bible which says:

“And in the same way—by our faith—the Holy Spirit helps us with our daily problems and in our praying. For we don’t even know what we should pray for nor how to pray as we should, but the Holy Spirit prays for us with such feeling that it cannot be expressed in words.”

I’m not sure why this event came to my remembrance, but it prompted me to share with you four ways to deal with whatever problems you’re facing.

First, you can run away from your problem.

God doesn’t give us wings to fly away from problems. He doesn’t take us out of this world to keep us from experiencing pressure. Instead, He gives us the opportunity to look to Him for the strength to walk through the pressure and be spiritually enriched by the experience.

Second, if you avoid or go around problems. . .you are only putting them off to face at a later date.

Procrastination magnifies and, many times, multiplies your problems.

Deal with it now. . .and you won’t be burdened by it later.

One of the ways to deal with a problem is found in Philippians 4:6 in the Classic Amplified Bible which says:

“Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God.”

Taking your problems to God in prayer should be our number one thought.

Third, ignore your problems.

Don’t put your head in the sand like an ostrich and just hope your problems will go away. By the way, when you put your hand in the sand. . .do you know what part of your body is exposed? Think about it.

Fourth, do what David did…turn to face your problem with courage, knowing that God will help you overcome your giant.

No matter how big the giant you’re facing. No matter how overwhelming the odds.

It doesn’t matter if you can’t see an answer to your problem or not. Follow the example of David.

In 1 Samuel 17:48 David reflects the attitude of a problem solver and winner. The Classic Amplified Bible translation says:

“When the Philistine came forward to meet David, David ran quickly toward the battle line to meet the Philistine.”

David exhibited courage in the midst of the most adverse and dangerous circumstance.

Courage is the attitude we need when we’re facing danger, difficulty or pain. Courage is the quality of standing fast instead of stepping back when facing opposition.

To be courageous is to be bold, alert, firm and persistent when coming up against a Goliath … knowing that God is with you.

Courage isn’t the absence of fear; rather it is the refusal to be mastered by fear.

As we move in the spirit of courage, we’ll confront our opponent with the confidence that we’ll ultimately succeed. . .acting as though it were impossible for us to fail.

This is the way David faced Goliath. He didn’t hesitate for one moment. Once he centered himself that this was a worthy cause and God was with him, he didn’t wait for Goliath to come and meet him. He ran out to meet Goliath.

We can approach our problems in the same way. We should go out to meet them . . . without hesitation but with the confidence in knowing that we will gain the victory.

Consider Joshua’s words to the Israelites are for us as well.

Joshua 10:25 says:

“Be strong and courageous, for thus the Lord will do to all your enemies with whom you fight.”

What changes a wimp into a champion, a failure into a success, a shepherd into a giant killer? It’s courage based on who our God is.

1 Samuel 16:13 in the New Living Translation says:

“So as David stood there among his brothers, Samuel took the flask of olive oil he had brought and anointed David with the oil. And the Spirit of the Lord came powerfully upon David from that day on.”

The Spirit of the Lord was David’s source of courage. It broke every bondage in his life.

Fear fell away from David’s life because of the anointing of God’s Spirit.

One more thing. . .you don’t have to be anointed by a prophet for fear to flee from your life. All you need to do to tap into scriptural courage. . .is anoint yourself with God’s Word.

We cultivate courage by gaining victories in the seemingly insignificant matters of daily life. We build a winner’s attitude by overcoming in these small areas.

1 Samuel 17:34-37 in the New Living Translation says:

34 But David persisted. “I have been taking care of my father’s sheep and goats,” he said. “When a lion or a bear comes to steal a lamb from the flock, 35 I go after it with a club and rescue the lamb from its mouth. If the animal turns on me, I catch it by the jaw and club it to death. 36 I have done this to both lions and bears, and I’ll do it to this pagan Philistine, too, for he has defied the armies of the living God! 37 The Lord who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine!”

Saul finally consented. “All right, go ahead,” he said. “And may the Lord be with you!”

God’s acts of faithfulness in the past were fresh in David’s mind. The memories built faith for the future challenges he was to face.

We, too, need to build memories of past victories. . .our own museum of God’s faithfulness.

From time to time, we have recommended that you keep a Personal Victory or Miracle Manifestation journal in which you log notes to personal triumphs and the times God has delivered you from your own lion, bear or even Philistine.

Your Journal should include testimonies of goals attained, obstacles overcome, and challenges conquered, as well as your feelings during these events.

Reading back over your victories will give you a stronger faith as you face the future.

Proverbs 23:7 says:

“As a man thinks in his heart, so is he. . .”

As you are either hearing or reading our words, is your heart discouraged by the intensity of the problems you’re facing? If so, take heart.

It’s important to always remember God is on your side even in your weakest moment. He is for you when you stumble. God not only loves you but He is ready and willing to help you. . .RIGHT NOW.

President V. Raymond Edman of Wheaton College once said in a speech:

“It’s too soon to quit.”

President Edman’s quote guided thousands of Wheaton students through the years.

Winners know that it’s always too soon to quit.

If you’re discouraged today, remember: It’s too soon to quit. The Holy Spirit will come. He’ll bring courage to your heart and cause you to become the winner you were created to be.

You’ll be able to rise up and say, “Yes, I am a winner. Yes, I can be courageous.”

As I was mediating on this teaching God revealed seven powerful and confirming promises in Isaiah 41:8-15 in the Classic Amplified Bible. Verse 8 says:

“8 But you, Israel, My servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, the offspring of Abraham My friend,

“9 You whom I [the Lord] have taken from the ends of the earth and have called from the corners of it, and said to you, You are My servant—I have chosen you and not cast you off [even though you are exiled].

First, “I have chosen you and not rejected you.”

Even though Israel was in captivity and the manifestation of God’s promises were not evident, He reassured His children that He had not rejected them.

God reassures us today as well. Even though you may experience adversity and moments of weakness in your life. . .you can know that God has not nor will He ever reject you. His hand is upon you right now. He has chosen you.

Never doubt the absolute promise found in Psalm 32:8 which in the New Living Translation says:

“The LORD says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.”

This is a great verse to personalize, memorize and confess every day.

“The LORD says, “I will guide <<YourName>> along the best pathway for <<his, her>> life. I will advise <<YourName>> and watch over <<him, her>>.”

Not only has your Heavenly Father chosen you. . .He’s guiding you in the way you should go and He’s got His eyes on you.

Can somebody say “Hallelujah.”

“10 Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My [victorious] right hand of rightness and justice.

Second, “Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed”

We must trust God and the absolute integrity of His Word when we feel all alone and He has fallen silent. God is still with us. . .so we can be confident that He will help us in whatever we’re facing.

Yes, He’s with us. . .even when we think we’re facing our problems all alone.

You may feel very much alone at this very moment. You may feel totally abandoned. But don’t fear. Your God will rise to the challenge and lead you through every problem you’re facing.

You may have been or perhaps still are quarantined. . .you may have been the only person in your home. . .but you were NEVER ALONE.

Hebrews 13:5 in the Classic Amplified Bible says:

“. . .for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!]”

Take confidence in knowing you are never alone. . .He is always right there with you. . .working. . .helping you face every problem. . .desiring to bless you. . .simply because you love Him and want to fulfill His covenant on the earth.

Third, “I am your God [Elohim].”

“Elohim,” the name of God used here, means “high and lifted up, the mighty one.”

We serve a mighty God. We serve an awesome God. His arm is not so short that He cannot reach out to us.

You can triumph over every problem as you turn your eyes to the almighty God. The God who opened the Red Sea is the same God who stands with you today.

The God who delivered Christ from the tomb is the same God who can bring you out of whatever problem you’re facing. . .today, tomorrow and every day thereafter.

The very first Beatles song I ever heard was "I Want to Hold Your Hand."

I love holding the hand of my fine wife Bev. In fact, I love holding Bev's hand no matter where we are or what we’re doing.

There’s something about holding the hand of those close to you. It brings you a feeling of love, hope, comfort and protection no matter what you're going through. Having someone hold your hand gives you a sense of peace even in the midst of adversity.

If you feel comforted when someone in your family holds your hand... how do you feel knowing that Elohim, the Almighty One. . .the Creator of heaven and earth. . .who is protecting you from every attack of the enemy is holding your hand even now.

According to Isaiah 41:10 He’s upholding you with his right hand.

Not only does He have your hand in His but He has a firm grip on you. The Message Bible Translation of verse 10 says He’ll “. . .hold you steady, keep a firm grip on you.”

Fourth, “I will strengthen you, surely I will help you.”

This phrase actually means God will make you strong by a divine encounter.

In 2 Corinthians 12:10 in the New Living Translation Paul said:

“That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

The Holy Spirit wants to commune with you every day to make you strong by a divine encounter.

2 Corinthians 12:10 in the Amplified Bible says:

“So for the sake of Christ, I am well pleased and take pleasure in infirmities, insults, hardships, persecutions, perplexities and distresses; for when I am weak [in human strength], then am I [truly] strong (able, powerful in divine strength).”

Fifth, “I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”

God holds up our hands in the battle. He assures the victory. Sometimes our hands grow weary, and we feel like letting them fall to our side. But the Lord says, “I will uphold you. I will be your victory even when you don’t feel like victory is at hand or possible.

Psalm 139:10 in the Classic Amplified Bible, Classic Edition says:

“Even there shall Your hand lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me.”

Time after time in the scripture we read where the power of God was released through His right hand.

Exodus 15:6 says:

“Thy right hand, O LORD, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O LORD, hath dashed in pieces the enemy.”

Throughout scripture . . .there are references to God’s powerful right hand. Another is found in Psalm 60:5:

“That thy beloved may be delivered; save with thy right hand, and hear me.”

The power in a right hand is overwhelming.

“11 Behold, all they who are enraged and inflamed against you shall be put to shame and confounded; they who strive against you shall be as nothing and shall perish.”

Sixth, “Those who contend with you shall be as nothing, and will perish. You will seek those who quarrel with you, but will not find them.”V 11-12

“12 You shall seek those who contend with you but shall not find them; they who war against you shall be as nothing, as nothing at all.

There are many enemies lurking around you. . .they’re not all flesh and blood. The hordes of hell want to render you ineffective for the Kingdom of God.

John 10:10 in the New Living Translation says:

“The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. . .”

It’s not God’s plan for the enemy to steal your dreams, kill your desires and destroy your motivation.

But rather God’s plan for you is spelled out in the last part of John 10:10 in the New Living Translation which says:

“. . .My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.”

The Word says that God will destroy ALL your enemies.

When Christ died and rose from the dead, He destroyed the works of the enemy and He gives that same power to us.

“13 For I the Lord your God hold your right hand; I am the Lord, Who says to you, Fear not; I will help you!”

“14 Fear not, you worm Jacob, you men of Israel! I will help you, says the Lord; your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel.”

“15 Behold, I will make you to be a new, sharp, threshing instrument which has teeth; you shall thresh the mountains and beat them small, and shall make the hills like chaff.”

Seventh, “I have made you a new, sharp threshing sledge with double edges.”V15

To be honest, you may not feel like a sharp threshing instrument at this point.

Maybe, you’ve lived a life where you never possessed the attitude of a winner or to the extent you would have liked.

At this time whether you’re watching this teaching live on Facebook or YouTube or perhaps reading it in the Rich Thoughts email. . .there is one thing for sure.

The Lord promises that if we follow Him, He’ll change us and mold us into a new, sharp threshing instrument.

In the Spirit of God is an attitude of victory. . .the attitude of a winner.

So purpose in your heart right now that you’re going to turn your problems into His possibilities.

Say to yourself every day.

“Yes, I am a Child of the Most High God created in His image and after His likeness.

“Yes, I have the scriptural knowledge and revelatory insight to solve every problem that comes my way.

“Yes, I can be a winner.

“Yes, I can win over discouragement.

“Yes, I can overcome complacency and indifference to what’s happening around me.

“Yes, I will move out of my comfort zone.

“Yes, I’m above and not beneath.

“Yes, I’m the head and not the tail.

“Yes, I am a world-class overcomer.

“Yes, I will do even greater things than He did.

“Yes, I’m changing my life. . .my destiny. . .starting today.”

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