1. Why Do We Have Such Troubles? 1 Peter 4:12-14 - Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. TNIV

2. Philippians 2:12-13 - 12 My dear friends, you have always obeyed God when I was with you. It is even more important that you obey now while I am away from you. Keep on working to complete your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 because God is working in you to help you want to do and be able to do what pleases him. NCV

3. 1 Peter 4:12-13 - 12 Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; 13 but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing; so that also at the revelation of His glory, you may rejoice with exultation.

4. The Message. "Friends, when life gets really difficult, don't jump to the conclusion that God isn't on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner."

5. God Allows Problems to Give Us Direction Proverbs 20:30 - "Sometimes it takes a painful experience to make us change our ways."

7. "If we don't change when we see the light, we will change when we feel the heat."

11. 2 Corinthians 7:10ff - "I now rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful, but that you were made sorrowful to the point of repentance..."

12. Problems Test Us "People are a lot like tea bags, you don't know what's in them until you drop them in hot water.“ Deuteronomy 8:2 - "And you shall remember all the way which the Lord your God has led you in the wilderness these forty years, that He might humble you, testing you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not."

13. "Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing..."

14. James 1:2-3 - "Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.” I Peter 1:6-7- "In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ."

15. Problems Protect Us Genesis 50:20, "And as for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive."

16. Problems Discipline Us. Psalm 119:67 - Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Your word. verse 71, he wrote, It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I may learn Your statutes.

17. Psalm 119:71 -"The punishment you gave me was the best thing that could have happened to me, for it taught me to pay attention to your laws. They are more valuable to me than millions in silver and gold!" (TLB)

18. Hebrews 12:7 - "It is for discipline that you endure; God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline?"

19. Problems Help Us Grow Romans 5:3-4 - "And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope...“ "We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they are good for us-- they help us learn to be patient. And patience develops strength of character in us and helps us trust God more each time we use it until finally our hope and faith are strong and steady." (TLB)

22. He is far more concerned for our character development than He is about our momentary comfort! Hebrews 2:10-11 - 10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings.

23. Problems Give Us Direction Problems Test Us Problems Discipline Us Problems Protect Us Problems Help Us Grow

24. Matthew 25:46 "And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life."