“Many, O Lord my God, are Your wonderful works which You have done; and Your thoughts toward us cannot be recounted to You in order; if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.” Psalm 40:5 (NKJV)
Sometimes my biggest problem is that my problems have become my god.
Sounds shocking, right? But pause and think. What are the top issues pressing on you today? Maybe it’s something you desperately need but don’t have—like money, healing, a job, or a relationship. Or maybe it’s something you have but desperately don’t want—like illness, conflict, or grief.
Now ask yourself: How much is this issue influencing my day, altering my mood, dominating my thoughts, directing my choices, or robbing me of peace and rest?
For instance:
- Are financial struggles pushing you to work three jobs, leaving no time for God or your family?
- Is your health challenge consuming your energy so fully that you’ve forgotten the hurting people God places in your path?
- Has someone broken your heart so deeply that you’ve become emotionally paralyzed—unable to feel anything but anger or sorrow?
Here’s the hard truth: Whatever controls your thoughts, controls your life, and whatever controls your life—is your god because it is what you are serving and obeying.
Our problems can easily take God’s place when we let them dictate how we try to meet our needs. It may sound absurd to think we’re serving a “problem god,” but sometimes God has to show us the absurdity of our behavior in order to lead us back to His truth.
When a problem rules our thoughts, hijacks our peace, or keeps us awake at night—it is on the throne in our life. And problems make cruel gods. They enslave us. They shrink our identity. They make us forget Whose we are. Worst of all, they distort our view of God and magnify physical fear over the gift of supernatural faith.
God must become bigger than our problems in our mind—because He is.
The first four of the Ten Commandments and the greatest commandment Jesus taught all point to one thing: a right relationship with God must be at the center of everything. When our love for Him outweighs our obsession with our struggles, we can finally start to live in the freedom of our salvation.
We can stop reacting to life through fear—and start responding to life through faith.
Yes, your problem may feel massive. But the God who runs the universe knows your name, sees your tears, and has given His Son for you. He deserves to be the center. He’s really good at your life. Knowing God for Who He is—changes everything.
Reflection Question:
What current problem is taking over your life—and how can you give it back to God today?
Prayer:
Father, I confess that I’ve allowed some of my problems to become too big in my life. They’ve taken my attention, my peace, and even my trust in You. Forgive me for placing anything above You. Right now, I surrender every fear, every burden, and every unanswered question to You. Reclaim the throne of my heart. Help me to seek You first, to trust You completely, and to walk in peace knowing You are greater than every problem I face. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
