It’s easy to notice what’s wrong. In fact, it takes very little effort at all. A situation doesn’t meet our expectations, something feels out of place, or someone makes a decision we wouldn’t have made—and almost instinctively, we see the flaw. The problem stands out clearly.
But God never called us to be professional problem spotters. He calls us to be people of wisdom, prayer, and purpose.
Early in my ministry, my senior pastor gave me a piece of advice that shaped the course of my life. He said, “Don’t ever come to me with a problem you haven’t prayed about—and come with a solution.” At the time, it sounded simple. But over the years, I realized it was anything but simple. It required maturity. It required humility. And most of all, it required dependence on God.
I began to see that while problems are easy to identify, solutions take something deeper. They take prayer. They take time. They take a willingness to understand the situation beyond the surface—and to consider the bigger picture, including priorities, timing, and available resources. Some problems are simple and can be solved with a practical fix. Others are far more complex, tied to people, priorities, and the greater purpose of what God is doing.
That shift changed me. Instead of reacting, I began to pray. Instead of pointing things out, I began asking, “Lord, what would You have me do here?” Instead of being frustrated, I began seeking understanding.
Over time, something powerful happened. I became more solution-oriented. I learned how to work through challenges rather than just highlight them. I grew in my ability to organize, to discern, and, most importantly, to pray through situations rather than react emotionally. It made me a better leader, a better person to work with, and a better follower of Christ. Honestly, this became one of the greatest learning experiences of my life, and I’m genuinely thankful for that wisdom—it shaped me not just as a leader, but as a Christian.
It also helped me reach a deeper place of trust—realizing that, while I am called to support and do my best, it is God who ultimately directs our steps. There is great peace in resting there.
Proverbs 16:9 (NIV) In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.
This truth brings rest to the soul. It frees us from the frustration of trying to make everything fit our expectations. It reminds us that God is at work—even when things don’t unfold the way we would choose.
This is especially important in the church. Everyone has ideas about what a church should be and what it should accomplish. But no church can be all things to all people. Not every idea will align with leadership priorities, and not every preference will be fulfilled.
And if we’re not careful, we can fall into a pattern of always looking for a place that perfectly matches our expectations—believing the next place will finally “get it right.” But growth isn’t found in constantly moving on. More often, it’s found in learning how to support, serve, and stay faithful right where God has placed us.
When we lose sight of that, frustration grows. But when we embrace it, maturity grows. Instead of becoming critical, we become supportive. Instead of being divisive, we become unifying. Instead of focusing on what we would change, we focus on how we can strengthen what God is already doing.
Ephesians 4:3 (NIV) Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
Unity doesn’t happen by accident. It requires effort. It requires humility. And often, it requires us to lay down our own preferences for the sake of something greater.
The question isn’t, “What’s wrong here?” The better question is, “Lord, how can I be part of the solution? How can I support what You are doing?”
When we begin to live that way, everything changes. Our hearts soften. Our perspective widens. And we begin to walk in a peace that comes from trusting God more than our own opinions.
Proverbs 3:5–6 (NIV) Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.
Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to be someone who seeks You before speaking, who prays before reacting, and who looks for solutions instead of simply pointing out problems. Give me wisdom to understand situations clearly, humility to support those You’ve placed in leadership, and peace to trust that You are directing every step. Shape my heart to value unity, and teach me to be a builder of what You are doing, not a critic of what I don’t understand. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
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