Clumsy_Handyman  Many years ago, when I was much younger, I climbed up on my roof to install a TV antenna. The main bracket had to be secured with a couple of very large nails, and it took all my strength to get them sunk into the wood. When I was almost finished hammering those nails, my hammer slipped, and I hit another nail, the one at the end of my middle finger.

   Boy did that hurt! I actually crushed the end of my finger, turning it red, and then very quickly to black and blue. When I got back inside, I soaked my finger in ice water and then wrapped it with gauze and tape. I figured that was all that could be done to fix my throbbing finger.

   When my wife walked into the room and asked what I was doing, I explained my mishap to her. She asked to look at my finger, so I unwound the gauze (very carefully) and showed her my finger. After one quick look, she said, “You need to see a doctor.” I protested for a while, but finally gave in and headed for the ER. It was a good thing that I did. The doctor had to remove my fingernail (which eventually grew back), and then he cleaned up the wound. I won’t describe the procedure, but it did involve a scary needle.

   When I smashed by finger, my first impulse was to treat it myself, partly because I was embarrassed that I had done such a stupid thing, and partly because I thought I knew what I was doing. As I learned though, I needed an expert to step in and take care of my blunder.

   My smashed finger can serve as an illustration of typical problem solving. Our tendency is to search for our own answers (as I started to do when I broke my finger), instead of humbly seeking the answers that God has for us. When life comes crashing down on you, where do you turn for solutions?

   Every time a person has a problem, he (or she) either turns to God or to himself (or herself) or to others for the answer. Let me encourage you to turn to God. He has given us an authoritative book, the Bible, where we can learn how to live our lives.

   Why should you turn to the Bible for answers to life’s issues? It is a supernatural book that answers life’s questions. “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16–17).

   The wisdom contained in the Bible isn’t just helpful. It is flawless. The Bible, like no other book, actually claims to have God’s answers to life’s questions. Bible teacher Dr. John MacArthur challenges us with these words, “Scripture enlightens the eyes, particularly concerning the dark things of life. What about death? What about disease? What about sad tragic things? What about the devastation of the world? Don’t you get sick of picking up the paper and reading about lying, cheating, murder, and war? Scripture deals with the tough issues of life.”

   In just three verses King David shows us a long list of amazing things about the Bible:

   “The law of the Lord is perfect

[complete or whole], restoring the soul;

   The testimony of the Lord is sure [certain or enduring], making wise the simple.

   The precepts of the Lord are right [straight or correct], rejoicing the heart;

   The commandment of the Lord is pure [clear or sincere], enlightening the eyes.

   The fear of the Lord is clean [not mixed with error], enduring forever;

   The judgments of the Lord are true [faithful or firm], they are righteous altogether” (Psalm 19:7–9).

   The Bible is so powerful that following it doesn’t just change what we do. It changes who we are. I have seen it work in my life and in the lives of many other people. If you want God to change you from the inside out, to set you free from sin and despair, get to know the Bible.

   A good place to start would be to begin reading it systematically. By spending an average of 15 minutes a day, you can read it through in a year, or you could read the entire New Testament three times in a year by spending the same amount of time. If you would like a free reading plan, just let me know.

   “This is my comfort in my affliction, that Your word has revived me” (Psalm 119:50).

   “Trouble and anguish have come upon me, yet Your commandments are my delight” (Psalm 119:143).