Problems v. Issues

These two words are often confused. Problems are situations for which we can do little. Issues are situations which are actionable. We can do something about issues.

I recently got into a discussion with another pastor who complained the churches say a lot about the plight of immigrants but say little about drug cartels in Mexico or the coyotes who abuse the migrants in Mexico.

Here is the difference. Once the migrants get into the United States, we can do something to help or harm them. Th care of migrants here is an issue.

While problems in Mexico are serious, they are not actionable since we are not in Mexico. In Mexico, the cartels and coyotes are issues.

This principle applies to congregations, families, and other groups of people. We all face many problems over which we have no control, like the weather. God calls us to address issues where we do have some influence.