Introduction: We need to examine and understand our own patterns of response to problems: Why am I reacting this way? Does this pattern of thinking limit my vision so much that I'm stuck with a problem I can't get out of?

Welcome to our Global Reachout program on Workplace Strategy.

Friends, our workplace strategy program was launched more than half a year ago. I wonder if our program has brought you some inspiration, and been helpful for your career? While we look forward to hearing your good news in the workplace, we are just as keen to share your difficulties with us and keep you in our prayers.

We’ve had a couple of holidays in recent months, so I’ve had a lot of opportunities to get together with friends and family and hear what's going on in their lives and work. I'm really happy. It is especially gratifying to see that some of my friends, after going through difficult times in their lives, have become more mature, and have gained a better understanding of God, people, and themselves. Looking at them, it is like seeing the potted vessels in the hands of God. All these difficulties have become opportunities for their growth in life.

Such growth is precious. Because we know that many people (including Christians) can get stuck in the same dilemma in their lives. We read the Bible, pray, and ask for help, but we still struggle in our lives. We may have difficulties in our relationships, our financial situations, or our health... And the problem is that this would happen again and again. Even if it is solved for a while, it will pop up again soon, like an intractable disease that cannot be cured.

When it comes to this situation, some friends will sigh: "My problem is like the 'thorn' in Paul's body. Surely God is using these things to remind me to drop my ego and rely on Him with all my heart..."

It's quite possible. Some difficulties do exist because it is God's will. But there are also times when we are dropped into a dilemma and cannot see a way out because of our blindness. In this case, rather than contributing to the growth of our lives, our suffering pulls us down little by little.

As we all know, different people have different reactions when facing problems. Consider a recent problem in your company. Some people are getting lost, or complain, while other people are capable of making out an effective solution, right?

Have you ever wondered why everyone reacts so differently to the same problem? Is there a right way to respond?

We often say that everyone reacts differently because we have different ways of thinking, different mindsets, different perspectives... That's right. It makes sense. But knowing this truth alone won't help us solve the problem. We need to take a closer look at how we react to problems: Why am I reacting this way? Is this pattern of thinking limiting my vision so that I'm stuck with a problem that I can't get out of?

A while ago, I came across a term called "hierarchy of understanding." It was the first time I heard about this concept. I am very inspired by it, and would like to bring this to today’s program so we can think about and discuss it together.

The concept of "hierarchy of understanding"  means that people's understanding about something can be divided into six different levels, from low to high. After a problem occurs, if we look at it from a lower level, we will feel that the problem cannot be solved. But when we stand on a higher level, the same problem won’t even be a problem anymore. Sounds pretty weird, doesn't it? Let's take a look at these six levels.

The first level is “environment”.

By environment, we mean everything except ourselves, including family, colleagues, friends, neighbors, passers-by, companies, churches, social environment, the market environment, weather, public opinion, and so on. When people at this level of understanding encounter problems, they blame external factors.

For example, if things aren't going well at work, a person may assume it's because their colleagues aren't cooperating, or there's something wrong with the organizational culture. If you don't get promoted, it's all because the office leaders are biased. If you get laid off because your expertise is outdated, it's the fault of the time, not you yourself.

In short, if the problems encountered are not caused by others, they are caused by the environment. It may also be a matter of luck. It’s "my life is not good".

Since problems are believed to be caused by external factors, when people are at this level of understanding, they will focus on working in a different environment. If nothing can be done, they will simply walk away.

Doesn’t that sound familiar?

When we as Christians are at this level of thought, we usually pray to God to change the circumstances for us -- circumstances are so powerful that they occupy our whole mind; even our beliefs seem to exist only to help us solve our problems.

But this is not the only place we got stuck at. This is the lowest level of thinking. Now let's go up to the next level.

Following the concept of the "hierarchy of understanding.", we are brought to the second level -  behavior.

People at this level typically think that if they want to solve a problem, they need to take action! They believe that you can't change the environment, you can only change yourself! Why haven't you succeeded yet? It's because you're not trying hard enough!

That sounds a lot more positive, right? Indeed, people at this level of understanding tend to have a positive attitude. They do not easily blame the circumstances. When confronted with problems, they tend to believe that things will get better as long as they keep trying! So, when a problem comes up, the first thing to cross their mind is: What didn't I do well enough?

For instance, why haven't you been doing so well in your job lately? That's because you don't work as hard as your competitors. Starting from today, you will visit several more clients every day! Has everyone else who joined the company around the same time been promoted, except you? It seems that you have to work for extra hours to let the leaders see your hard working! The layoffs are rolling in. I don't know when my turn will come. No way! I need to pick up a new skill or two quickly!

In a word, when you encounter problems, you are looking for reasons within yourself first, instead of blaming others or blaming the environment.

We see that when one gets to the level of "behavior," the issue of "environment" becomes less important. Standing on the "behavior" level, he has the vision beyond the environment, and can actively seek solutions to the problem.

But will that be enough? Can all problems be solved if you work hard enough? Is it true that the harder you work, the greater the harvest? Both reality and history tell us: It is not always true.

For example, three people race to see who can run the fastest from Shanghai to Beijing. The first person chooses to run toward Beijing in a rush; the second person calls a taxi and tells the driver to go full speed ahead; and another jumps on a flight to Beijing in the first place...

Who worked the hardest? It is not easy to judge; however, it is rather clear who will arrive in Beijing first.

So listeners, let's pause for a moment and think about this: What's the biggest problem we face in our current work life? Are we trying to solve the problem? What are the results of the effort?

I've tried so hard, but...

We have all been through this. Human effort has its limits, and working hard can't solve all problems. To see this limitation more clearly, we need to stand a little higher. So that brings us to the third level of understanding -- capability.

In this context, "capability" refers to the ability to solve the same problem in a simpler and more efficient way.

In the previous example, it was clear that running from Shanghai to Beijing was the dumbest way to do it, compared to flying, which was simpler and more efficient.

When people are at the "capability" level of understanding, if a problem occurs, their first reaction is likely to be, "I'm incompetent in something, that's why I have this problem." Then they try to find a better "way" to solve the problem of their lack of "ability". Their motto is: There are more solutions than problems!

For example, if the company's business is not good recently, it’s because our business model is too old, so we need to learn new methods and find new platforms. If I don't have a good relationship with my boss and colleagues, it seems that my communication skills need to be improved. I need to read books and take classes to learn communication skills. If I'm behind my competitors, it must mean that they have knowledge I don't have. What is it? Find out, and learn, so you can catch up...

It is not difficult to see that people with this level of thinking mode not only have action motivation, but also have a very strong ability to learn. They are willing to learn and apply what they have learned to practice so as to improve their efficiency and solve problems.

With a positive attitude and a sense of method, the person who gets on a plane should be able to go anywhere, right?

I believe that most Christians will say: Not really!

The Bible reminds us of our limitations in many places, as it says in  Zechariah 4:6: So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.”

With this knowledge, we will not be carried away when we succeed, nor will we completely deny the value of life because of our failures. At the same time, we should also see that "relying on God" is not inconsistent with "trying to be a good steward", otherwise we would confuse "faith" with "destiny". Especially when facing a specific dilemma in work and life, it is not enough just to understand the truth. We need to carefully examine and understand our own responses when facing problems, and strive to improve our ability to solve problems. Then we can confidently put the results into God's hands.

OK, as our time is limited, we got to stop right here, in the next program, we will take a look at the fourth, fifth and sixth levels of “hierarchy of understanding." with you. Don't miss it!