The Root of all Evil

Crap happens in life. Sometimes it happens for no reason, sometimes it happens for a multitude of reasons. Being a Christian is no promise of a happy life; if anything, seeing you as a redeemed child of God, the devil only wishes to make your life worse, and so, between a multitude of factors, things will more than likely go wrong in some way. I'm not writing this in a fit of pessimism, but the enemy and his ploys need to be understood.

When things go wrong, take a step back and realize there are only three true sources of problems in life: you, others, and the devil. God has made all things for good, and while trials allowed by God do occur, these are only to build you up, and not bring you down, and consist primarily of you learning to overcome what the enemy has to throw your way. God will never put you through more than you can handle, according to 1 Corinthians 10:13: "God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with your testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it."

There are three steps to remember when crap happens.

--Check yourself, first and foremost. Make sure you are lined up with God's word, and if you are not, then fix yourself with God's aid, and others if they are needed.
--If you are not the source, /then/ (not before) look to the others around you to see if they've faulted you, and love them enough to help them out of it, don't simply beat them over the head for faulting you. Get others to help if you cannot resolve this yourself. Remember humility, as you are not without sin yourself; give correction and kindness, not a first stone thrown.
--If nobody is to blame, look to the situation and strive to resolve or weather it as is appropriate. God has given you an opportunity to rise above hardship; call to Him for aid, curse down the devil and his works, and use the authority God has given you, as a spirit-led believer, to speak resolution into existence.

Do not whine, do not simply play blame games, and remember above all else to be thankful, and that God loves you through your hardship. Go, and triumph!