About six years ago, I had an encounter that forever changed my view of ministry and life. I was a young pastor, full of zeal but lacking certain ministerial ethics—especially when it came to how to invite others to the pulpit.
One day, on my way to Accra for a job interview, a gentleman was preaching passionately in the vehicle. As we got to Kaneshie, he looked at me and said, “You are a man of God. You carry the oil of God on your life.” I was taken aback. Later that evening, he called, and we began talking about ministry.
Eventually, I invited him and his wife to my church. They came, ministered, and blessed the people. But as time went on, issues began to surface.
I only wanted to give others a platform to use their God-given gifts—but what followed brought me pain and deep disappointment. I vowed never to serve God again.
Yet, what I thought was the end was only the beginning.
A Problem Reveals a Hidden Gift
Sometimes, the very challenges we face are God’s way of calling out hidden gifts within us.
After my painful experience, a friend invited me to church to play their piano. I accepted—though I still carried bitterness. But while playing, I realized I could sing.
I began training my friend on the piano and later joined him in rehearsals. Soon, I was singing during church services, and people would tell me how blessed they felt. Through this, I discovered one of my greatest gifts—music ministry.
That’s the beauty of God’s process: He uses problems to awaken sleeping talents. The problem isn’t the problem—it’s the voice within the problem that matters.
A Problem Points Out a Potential in You
What we often call a “problem” might actually be potential seeking expression.
Think about David. Before he was known as a warrior or king, he was a shepherd mastering his skills while facing lions and bears. His challenges prepared him for Goliath.
Your current problem could be God’s training ground for greatness. Instead of seeing it as punishment, see it as preparation.
After my experience, I began to understand that every trial has a divine lesson. Problems are not trash to throw away—they are treasures for transformation. Even when your child, job, or marriage feels like a problem, ask God what potential He’s trying to reveal through it.,
A Problem Informs and Calls Your Attention to a Lost You
Problems don’t just reveal gifts—they also call us to self-awareness.
My painful experience taught me to be more discerning, careful, and attentive. Job’s story in the Bible shows this well. In his suffering, he learned humility and compassion. When he prayed for his friends, God restored him double.
There’s a you inside you that can only emerge through challenges. My mistake taught me to listen deeply to God and pay attention to life’s details. Without that trial, I would have kept repeating the same errors.
So, don’t despise your problems. They are God’s megaphone to get your attention—a divine voice leading you to growth and wisdom.
See Problems as Divine Keys
If you’re going through a problem today, pause and ask yourself, “What is God trying to reveal through this?”
Problems are not punishments—they are divine keys unlocking your hidden power, potential, and purpose.
Remember: The problem is not the problem—it’s the message within the problem that transforms you.
