No Problem: Living in God's Promises

What if the biggest problems you face have already been solved? What if every challenge, every struggle, every obstacle in your life has a divine answer waiting to be claimed? This isn't denial or wishful thinking; it's the reality of living in the promises of God.

From the moment sin entered the world through Adam and Eve's disobedience, humanity faced its greatest crisis: separation from God. We were cut off from the very source of life, wisdom, strength, and comfort. This wasn't just a problem; it was the problem, a chasm so vast that no human effort could bridge it.

Yet God didn't hesitate. In the very moment of humanity's fall, He issued a promise: the seed of the woman would crush the serpent's head. Before we even understood the depth of our predicament, the solution was already declared. This is the pattern of God's promise released at the moment of the problem.

The entire Old Testament becomes a story of anticipation, with God's people looking forward to the ultimate promise fulfilled in Jesus Christ. And here's what's remarkable: if God solved the world's biggest problem through His promises, then surely every lesser problem has already been addressed, too.

We live in a unique moment in redemptive history. The saints of the Old Testament lived before the cross, looking forward to the Messiah. We live after the cross, looking back at what Christ accomplished and forward to His return. They anticipated promises; we stand on fulfilled promises while awaiting others.

This is what theologians call the "already, but not yet" reality of God's kingdom. In the first advent, Jesus came to deliver us from the sin within us. In the second advent, He will return to deliver us from the sin surrounding us. But here's the crucial truth: we don't have to wait for the second coming to experience God's promises. Peace, provision, healing, restoration, freedom; these are available today.

The majority of New Testament promises aren't something we wait for; they're realities we live in now. Forgiveness and freedom from sin? Today. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit? Today. Physical healing and emotional restoration? Today. Unity and love among God's people? Today.

Imagine sitting alone on a seesaw at a playground. With no weight on the other side, you remain stuck on the ground, unable to experience the joy of the ride. This is the picture of facing problems without applying God's promises. You feel the weight of everything pressing down on you: depression, discouragement, defeat.

But when you pull out a promise from God's Word and place it on the other side, something shifts. Suddenly, you're lifted up. You rise above the circumstance. Yes, the seesaw comes back down—problems always return—but now you have the mechanism to rise again. Problems will always come back; that's life. God always has more than enough promises; that's grace.

1. Chop at the Roots, Not the Branches

Jesus spoke of a wise builder who didn't just start constructing on the surface. First, he dug deep and laid a foundation on rock. When storms came, the house couldn't be shaken because it was founded properly.

Too often, we swing at symptoms rather than addressing root causes. We want quick fixes for surface issues without digging into what's really going on. Try a simple exercise: when facing a problem, ask "why" five times. Each answer leads you deeper until you discover the real issue. This is where transformation begins, not in managing symptoms but in addressing the heart of the matter.

2. Stockpile an Arsenal of Promises

In Matthew 13:52, Jesus described disciples as homeowners who bring out of their storeroom treasures both new and old. Your storeroom is your heart, the place where you've stored up God's Word and promises.

Before coming to Christ, our storerooms are filled with outdated goods, nothing that can truly feed ourselves or others spiritually. But as disciples, we're called to build up an arsenal. Start with your biggest needs. Find three verses that speak to each one. Memorize them over the next few weeks. When neighbors need "sugar," you'll have something to give.

The concordance in the back of your Bible, Bible apps, and study tools exist for this purpose. Use them. Two years of diligent study will transform you into someone who carries answers, not just questions.

3. Change Your Language, Transform Your Thoughts

Matthew 12:34 tells us that the mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart. What you consistently say reveals what you truly believe. If your words don't align with your prayers, you don't really believe what you're praying.

This isn't about "name it and claim it" theology run amok. It's about purposefully speaking God's truth while daily meditating on it. Your natural reality often doesn't align with God's truth, and you must choose which one you'll proclaim.

Consider the twelve spies who scouted the Promised Land. Ten saw giants and gave a "wicked" report, wicked because it contradicted God's promise. Two saw the same giants but declared, "We are well able." Same circumstances, different spirits. The difference? Those two believed God's truth superseded human reality.

Life in Christ is life with solutions, not the overburdening of problems. Every legitimate covenant promise already has God's "yes and amen" attached to it. You don't need to convince God or twist His arm. The promise is already affirmed; you simply need to discover it, believe it, and live in it.

When you find yourself facing a problem today, don't panic. Don't spiral. Instead, get into God's Word and find the promise that matches your problem. Then pray and say "amen"—so be it, I agree, let it be fulfilled.

This Advent season reminds us that God keeps His promises. He kept the promise of the first coming. He'll keep the promise of the second. And in between, He's given us everything we need to walk in peace, victory, and confident faith.

No earthly problem is unmatched with a heavenly promise. That means when you really think about it, you have no problems at all, only opportunities to see God's faithfulness on display.