How To Solve Problems (7)
Seventh, try to see the problem from different angles. Paul talks about ‘the manifold wisdom of God.’ To understand the word ‘manifold’, think of a diamond. Each time you turn it, the light exposes a different side to its beauty. God’s wisdom contained in the Bible is like that; it exposes different aspects and approaches to the problem.
Author and radio show host Berni Dymet calls his radio programme A Different Perspective. Why? Because: ‘God has a habit of wanting to speak right into the circumstances, the issues that we face in our everyday lives. [We need to] get a different perspective on things—God’s perspective.’
Most problems have many solutions, and no problem can long withstand the assault of sustained thinking. So fire up your God-given creativity, apply sustained thinking, and pull together your resources. Included in those resources are people. Who else has solved this problem? How did they do it? Often the problems that surround you aren’t nearly as crucial as the people around you. When Joseph came up with a plan that saved Egypt from famine, Pharaoh said, ‘Since God has revealed the meaning of the dreams to you, clearly no one else is as intelligent or wise as you are. You will be in charge of my court, and all my people will take orders from you. Only I, sitting on my throne, will have a rank higher than yours.’ (Genesis 41:39–40 NLT)
Bottom line: with God’s help, you’ll be able to look at your problem in a different way and find a solution—His solution.