Christ and Your Problems (review)

Christ and Your Problems
by Jay E. Adams

This book is only 30 pages long, but it is packed full of valuable insight. (As are most of Jay Adams' books.)

Summary: This little book is based on I Corinthians 10:13, which says,

There is no trial that has overtaken you but such as is common to man, and God is faithful who will not allow you to be tried beyond what you are able to endure, but with the trial also make a way of escape in order that you may be able to endure it.

Talk about a verse that has many practical applications.

In the book, Jay breaks down each part of this verse and makes it applicable, by simply explaining the meaning of each word and phrase. We are all going to have problems, but they will never be too much.

My Thoughts: Usually when I have seen this book, it is handed out to those who are entering into Biblical Counseling. It is a great book for that purpose, because it is short and to the point. It breaks down those arguments about things like, "...this trial is more than I can handle..." or "...I am alone in this..." or "...God has forgotten me..."

In fact, I think that my favorite part of the book (and the verse) is the phrase, "and God is faithful." It doesn't say, "but God is faithful..." it says "and..."

"but" would imply yeah these trials are bad, but God is still faithful, even though everything is so bad... Whereas, if you use "and" it says, Yeah, God is so faithful that he has allowed this difficult time to come, so that he can help you grow to be more like Christ. Bad times don't stand in opposition to God's good, they stand along with it, arm in arm.

Check out the book. Amazon is selling them for $1.99 each. A worthwhile purchase.