Don’t let your problems determine your view of God; let your view of God determine your problems. If you let your life situation define God you are going to end up with someone you do not trust and cannot relate to. Your problems are going to seem bigger than God. Your own answers are going to seem smarter than God’s responses. Your own efforts are going to seem more important than God’s efforts. You are going to have to lean on your own strength rather than being able to accept your weaknesses and lean on God’s strength. Instead, you need to get a clear picture of God first. And then let that picture define your problems.