Life is not all plain sailing. We all go through sorrow as well as joy. Some problems are more serious than others and there are many reasons why life might be hard. But, there is a particular pattern I’ve noticed recently. It seems that God has sometimes turned my problems into opportunities for the gospel. 

Nobody will understand me

I recently agreed to do a talk at our church in Bergamo, Italy, where we now live. As my Italian is not yet good enough, I wrote a script that I could read from. The first time I read it, I was awful – so awful that I was considering backing out. However, the next time, I was slightly better. So, I was improving, but I was still praying to Jesus about it, very concerned. I kept practising.

There is a woman I’ve been befriending who lives in the same block of flats as my husband and me. She messaged me, asking me how I was. 

‘I’m doing ok. But I’m really worried about something.’ I confessed. ‘I’m doing a talk at church on Sunday. I have written a script, but I can’t pronounce all the words properly. And I’m worried that nobody will understand me.’

‘You’ll be fine,’ she replied. ‘Your Italian is good.’

But I knew my Italian was not good enough for a talk. I was stumbling over so many words. Then, about an hour later, she messaged me again.

‘If you like, I can hear your talk. I will help you with your pronunciation.’

I was extremely thankful. I went to see my friend. She listened to every word. My talk was about the existence of God. I was a bit worried about how she would react and how she would view me after hearing it. But at the end, she said this:

‘That makes sense. I believe it.’

I was amazed. And, thanks to Jesus, my talk at church went well. Afterwards, my husband and I had good conversations with a few individuals.

Asking for help

This is not the usual reason given for life’s hardships. But I see this principle in the Bible.

For example, in John 4:1-42, Jesus was thirsty, and he asked the Samaritan woman for a drink. He used the opportunity to tell her who he was and offer her ‘living water’. She responded and became the evangelist for the town. 

In Mark 6:30-52, it was late in the day, and the crowd that had followed Jesus had nothing to eat. His disciples were concerned. Jesus turned this into a learning exercise for them. And the crowd was miraculously fed from only five loaves and two fish.

So why is this a pattern? When we have problems, we rely more on God. And he often uses others to help us, to answer our prayers – not only Christians, but surprisingly non-Christians too.

I believe we are at our most vulnerable when we have problems. We show ourselves as real people and not polished versions of ourselves. We become relatable. When we ask for help, others see us as just normal people. A connection and trust can be formed – a real friendship. And God can use this. And so, a door can be opened for the gospel that wouldn’t have been possible otherwise. A problem becomes an opportunity.