We all face problems in life. In fact, we can pretty much be guaranteed to face problems for the duration of our lifetime. Some of the problems are straightforward, everyday problems, like what to eat for lunch, or where did I put my raincoat. Other problems that occur are more complex and harder to find solutions to, like disagreements with friends or family members, how to reach a savings goal or what will I study at university.
Problems rarely go away by themselves; however, you can train yourself to be a better problem solver. Whether the problem you are facing is small, medium or larger, there are six steps you can take that can help you to become a more successful problem solver. These six steps are not a guarantee that you will arrive at a perfect solution, but they allow you to consider a range options and outcomes. And as you will discover, God has given us the ability to think and be creative. He also promises that he hears our prayers and is always with us. As you continue to use these six steps, you can become more confident in considering options and over time become a better, more confident problem solver.
Step 1: Identify – What is the problem I am trying to solve?
This is a really important first step. Once you are clear about what it is you are trying to solve, you can move on to the next step with focus. Ask God to give you clarity and help you understand what needs to be done.
Step 2: What are the possible options and what are the possible solutions?
This step is also important, because you need to make yourself think about all of your options. Often writing down a list of your thoughts helps you to open your mind and think creatively. Thank God for giving you the ability to think and think creatively so that you can consider different solutions to problems.
Step 3: Ask someone else for help.
Is there a friend, classmate, teacher or parent nearby that you can ask for help? Sometimes a friend will suggest another option, or help you decide which of your options is most likely to succeed. Another good idea is to pray about it. We may not know what the future holds, but God does. Ask Him for wisdom and understanding to make a good decision.
Step 4: Select the best options by determining the positives and negatives of each one.
This is the step where you imagine what is likely to happen if you try your possible solutions. What might work? What won’t work? What will be the positives? What will be the negatives? How will these outcomes affect you? How will these outcomes affect others? Will the outcome actually solve the problem you faced at the start, or create other problems to solve? Ask God to give you a clear mind so that you can consider which option to choose.
Step 5: Choose the option you think is most likely to succeed.
After you have considered the positive and negatives of your options, you then must make a choice. Problems won’t fix themselves. Often someone must do something to solve a problem. We don’t know for certain what will happen, but God does. Pray that your decision is based on clear thinking about the positive and negatives of your options. This can give you confidence in your decision. Remember that either way, God promises that He loves us and will always be with us.
Step 6: Take Action – Try it and see what happens.
Now its time to put your plan in action. You’ve chosen what you think is your best option and gone through with it. Were you successful? Maybe, maybe not! But regardless of how successful you were, you can be confident that you thought about it clearly and considered your options before you acted. You asked God to help you think with clarity and creativity. You gave it your best shot. Sometime things don’t work out the way we’d planned. We all make mistakes, and that’s ok, because we can still learn through mistakes.
Some Bible Verses to consider:
Deuteronomy 31:6 – “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Philippians 4:6 – “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God.”
Philippians 4:13 – “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
1 John 5:14 – “This is the confidence we have in approaching God; that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.”
James 1:5 – “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given to him.”
NICK GREENWOOD
Head of Junior School - Endeavour Hills
Maranatha Christian School
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