Would You Trade Your Problems?

Everyone has problems. It doesn’t matter who you are, your station in life, how old or young you are -- you have problems. Often we look at other people and think that they don’t have problems. However, we never know what is really going on in someone else’s life. When you look behind the scenes of someone’s life, you realize that your problems are not all that bad.

It seems that no one is immune to the human condition of having problems. Lately, I have been putting my own problems into perspective by noticing the problems of others and asking myself, “Would you trade your problems for theirs?” So far the answer has always been no. I would not want to deal with the challenges and adversity that so many people face. In a recent newsletter from Cheryl Richardson, best-selling author, she recounted a conversation she was having with a friend. She was sharing the problems she was having building her new home. Her friend listened, and then told her that the types of problems she was having were “first world problems.” That struck me, first world problems. And it is so true. The problems so many of us have are not life or death issues; we don’t have to worry about getting clean water, having sanitation or having enough food to eat. When compared with what the rest of the people in the world deal with, our problems seem very manageable.

My uncle was recently diagnosed with terminal cancer and given less than three months to live. When I heard the news, I realized he had a problem that will be solved, although the solution is a grim one. There is really nothing he can do except put his affairs in order and get complete. I realized that all my problems have solutions that will not have such a final ending. Given the chance, I would not trade problems with my uncle.

I am learning to embrace my problems. Given the chance, I would not trade problems with anyone else. Looking around at what so many others have to endure, I feel blessed to have the problems I have. When you are feeling overwhelmed by your own problems, take the opportunity to notice the problems other people are facing and ask yourself, “Would I trade problems with them?” This will help you put your problems into perspective.