Troubles In Life

Lifes Problems

Everyone experiences problems in life, some major and some minor. During these problems people become frustrated, anxious, upset, and/or overwhelmed. This is normal. Noone enjoys issues getting in the way of their seemingly normal life.

However, many people disregard others during these times. They take on an attitude that their problem in their life is the only one that counts or matters, noone’s elses. They expect everyone else to drop what they’re doing, put their own problems aside, and help them. Problem comparisons may even be made in an attempt to make others feel guilty and that others problems are nowhere as serious as their problem. This behaviour is dangerous to all parties involved.

It needs to be understood that everyone leads different lives with different lifestyles with different circumstances. A problem you may be experiencing in your life, to you may seem or feel more serious than a problem another is going through. But it must be understood that the problems others are facing may be causing similar or worse scenarios in their life as your problem is causing in your life.

For example, here’s a few problems:

1. Family man is going through a legal seperation, may end up being a divorce, and has not been allowed to see his children since the process began. His wife has a history of psychological issues, causing concern in the man for the safety of his children. This man is doing everything he can to get custody of his children, and if possible, fix his marriage – avoiding a divorce, as he doesn’t want a divorce.
2. A family is struggling. This family is barely scraping by, needing assistance from food pantries for food and supplies. This family only eats an average of two meals per day, and still struggles to maintain enough food and supplies. Everything that can be done to bring in an additional income is being done, including starting a small business from the ground up out of their home.
3. Another family is a broken couple with children. The woman was told by social services that she is facing the possibility of losing her children to the system because she’s working throughout the week and the man is living elsewhere for work, causing concern that they’re not around enough for their children. Her cousin lives with her to watch the children while she’s at work. Social services visits her weekly to check how things are going.

Of the above three examples, which example would you say is the worst? Should those of the other two disregard their own problems and focus all their energy towards resolving the problem of the one you feel is the worst?

The reality is that all three of the above examples are equally as bad as each other. All three families are dealing with just as much stress, frustration, anxiety, and/or depression. The only difference is the circumstances creating the stress, frustration, anxiety, and/or depression.

Noone is above anyone else. We are all humans experiencing life. We are all going through problems at some point in our lives. When we are going through our problems, I can guarantee you that 10/10 people you pass in the supermarket are also going through problems of their own. No matter how perfect a friend, family member, or a complete stranger makes their life appear, I can assure you that they are going through something. It may only be a minor issue, but it could also be a major issue.

Now, I’m not saying you shouldn’t help others or that others shouldn’t help you. If you’re able to help someone, do so. If you need help, ask for it. But don’t demand others help you. Don’t allow yourself to be so prideful that you feel your issues trumps that of others. Sometimes you will find that those you help through their problems are able to help you through yours. Just because you’re having a hard-time doesn’t mean you can’t help someone else, nor does another going through a hard-time mean that they can’t help you.

Most people don’t tell 100% of their life story, so you don’t know what they’ve been through. Nor do they know what you’ve been through. You may be able to help them because you’ve already been through a similar problem, just as they may be able to you because they’ve been through a similar problem.

Lifes Problems While Christian

What really annoys me is Christians, or those who claim to be Christian, are guilty of this poor behaviour. As a Christian, you should know that we are all equal. We are all brothers and sisters in Christ, none better or above another. Yet many “Christians” display this attitude that their problems are worse than anyone elses (including other Christians), and everyone must put their life on hold to help them.

What exactly makes you superior to everyone else? What about your problem makes it so much worse than those of everyone else? Why do you suddenly fail to see the suffering everyone else is going through?

Life isn’t perfect. Life isn’t easy. It wasn’t meant to be. You, of all people, should know and understand this; especially if you actually read your Bible and pay attention to what it says.

Everyone’s always asking why their friends and/or family members are suddenly leaving their local church to practice in private or leaving Christianity altogether. Did it ever occur to you that it’s because you (Christendom as a whole) is leading by a very poor example? Did it ever occur to you, that just through this one issue of the “problems attitude” that Christians are coming off as rather self-absorbed narcissists who fail to practice what they preach?

Christ helped those who were in need. Early Christians did likewise. This was done despite societal opinions and the problems they were experiencing in their private lives.

Stop trying to be above others. Recognize and deal with your problems, but recognize others are going through their own as well. If you can help each other, do so. If you can’t help each other, or if another can’t help you, don’t take it personal. Don’t shun or mistreat them.

Regardless what your problem is, it is not any worse than that of anyone else. Everyones minor problems affects their lives in minor ways, and everyones major problems affects their lives in major ways. The problem itself may be different in scenario or circumstances that caused it, but it’s the same in stress, frustration, anxiety, and/or depression it’s bringing on those going through it.

In the Bible we are warned that people will act in such ways:

2 Timothy 3:1-9 KJV

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,

3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,

4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;

5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.

6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,

7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

Would you rather be of those spoken of? Or do you prefer to truly be a Christian and act as such?

1 Peter 2:21 KJV
For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: