To see part 1, click here.

After my experienced sports medicine doctor scribbled down sparse notes as I detailed the last six months of pain, he took one look at me and told me the problem with my hip was in my feet. In fact, he advised me that any time runners complain of a problem in the ankles, knees, shins, or hips, the feet are the usual suspects.

This sounded so familiar to me, because I remember pastors teaching at SSC and NYTS that many problems we encounter in this world stem from a spiritual problem. An illness, a conflict with a co-worker, a crumbling relationship with a significant other, chronic anger, depressed outlook, a quick temper, or a mouth that can’t stop from spewing unedifying words. These problems are all rooted in a faulty foundation – disobedience to God, dissatisfaction with God, laziness, lack of compassionate love, jealousy, and pride.

Jonah found himself in the dark, wet, gooey bowels of a great big fish. Foundation? Disobedience to God.
Joseph’s 11 brothers wanted to kill him. Foundation? Jealousy.
Miriam and Aaron were unhappy about the status of their leadership positions. Foundation? Pride.
Disciple John, “Thunder”, wanted to punish people who challenged Jesus. Foundation? Lack of compassion.

Every problem has a spiritual source. What is it? What mistake did I make? Or did I? What does God want me to learn?

The first step in connecting the dots between the problem and the source is self-examination. Once we start the search, God will help us find. He might use the movement of the Holy Spirit, a message in a sermon, or an experienced church member. Start the search and God will allow us to see the problems as an opportunity to repent and to rely on Him. He will give us wisdom and patience to resolve and to learn from our problems. He will give us the strength to pray for the problems our brothers and sisters are facing. Can we connect the dots from the hip to the feet?

“Why should a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins? Let us search out and examine our ways, And turn back to the LORD; let us lift our hearts and hands to God in heaven.” (Lam 3:39-41)