As Christians, we know Jesus is the answer to our doubts, questions, struggles, and problems. But sometimes we don’t always think about how Jesus is the answer. “Jesus is the answer” can become such a familiar phrase to us that sometimes even we don’t know what it means. But people out here, both Christian and otherwise, have doubts, questions, struggles, and problems, and if Christians don’t know the answers, then why should anyone think belief in Jesus Christ is supposed to help anything? If I don’t know how Jesus is the answer, then clearly I don’t have the answer and it should be sought elsewhere. Sometimes this is why people leave Christianity or want nothing to do with it in the first place; we can’t, don’t, and/or won’t answer their questions when they actually should be answered.
Sometimes we Christians use “Jesus is the answer” as a cop-out, an easy answer, as if saying, “be ye warmed and filled,” will fix things (James 2:15-16). Sometimes it does as much good as telling someone with depression, “Just stop being sad,” or telling someone with a cold, “Just don’t be sick.” Sometimes we say something like, “I’ll pray for you,” or, “God can help you,” then we proceed to go about our day and do nothing to help. As it says in James 2:14-26, if you aren’t actually doing anything concrete to help someone, what good are you doing? Yes we should pray for people, but if we aren’t also participating in God’s work then we’re not actually doing any good. Yes God helps people, but often you’re the help He sent. If what you believe is real and actually helpful to people, then it should be very apparent in how you conduct yourself towards others. God put you here for a reason. Your faith should be visible and active. Your faith should cause your works. Many times you are the answer that Jesus sent!
Now back to the question at hand: How is Jesus the answer? The specifics are going to vary according to circumstance, but there are underlying truths that apply across the board: Jesus loves you, He wants you to have help, and He is able and willing to give you help. Sometimes that help comes in unexpected ways. Sometimes Jesus takes away the problem. Sometimes Jesus leaves the problem but walks right beside you all the way through it. Sometimes Jesus takes what you’re going through and uses it to make you stronger. He can even use it to help you to help someone else who is going through the same struggle. Sometimes it won’t be readily apparent what Jesus is doing or going to do with your problems. Sometimes Jesus’ answer to your problem comes in bits and pieces. Sometimes Jesus’ answer dawns on you suddenly. Sometimes you don’t realize how Jesus is the answer until afterwards, like a solution to a riddle that you feel like you should have known.
Now what about the times when you just cannot figure out how Jesus is supposed to be the answer to a problem, whether it’s yours or someone else’s? Just be there for people, and let people be there for you. Be the light that Jesus sent you to be, and let Jesus send you some light. The answer will come. The answer is findable, just keep looking together. Sometimes the answer takes some persistent digging. I know that sounds like I’m saying things just to say things, which is what I said not to do in the beginning of this post, but sometimes the answer takes time and effort, and you need to be there for people to help them during the answer-seeking, or be with people who can help you during the answer-seeking. That’s one of the things I was talking about in the beginning; if we Christians aren’t here for people when we claim Jesus can be here for them, how are they supposed to see how Jesus is here? Christians were first called Christians because we follow and represent Christ (Acts 11:26). Christians should look and act like Jesus so people can see what He’s like. Often we Christians are the demonstration for how Jesus is the answer, whether we’re showing that by helping someone find the answer for their specific problem, or whether we’re showing it by going to Jesus as our answer for our own problems.
Even though the specifics will be different depending on the problem, there is a satisfactory explanation for how Jesus is the answer. Share how Jesus has been the answer for you. That can help someone else find Jesus as their answer.
Related:
Giving an Answer
You Are Allowed to Ask Questions
Challenging Questions
Struggling with Expecting God’s Goodness
If God Is Good, Then Why Is There Evil?
When Affliction Is Good