Problems are part of life. They are inescapable: woven into the very fabric of this fallen world. You tend to go into problem-solving mode all too readily, acting as if you have the capacity to fix everything. This is a habitual response, so automatic that it bypasses your conscious thinking. Not only does this habit frustrate you, it also distances you from Me.
Do not let fixing things be your top priority. You are ever so limited in your capacity to correct all that is wrong in the world around you. Don’t weigh yourself down with responsibilities that are not your own. Instead, make your relationship with Me your primary concern. Talk with Me about whatever is on your mind, seeking My perspective on the situation. Rather than trying to fix everything that comes to your attention, ask Me to show you what is truly important. Remember that you are en route to heaven, and let your problems fade in the Light of eternity.
This is from one of my most favorite books, Jesus Calling – it was the devotional for today. It could not have been more fitting for where I am at. Yesterday I was super overwhelmed. I had 100 things going through my head. I felt I was getting burned out. I was overwhelmed with thoughts of what “could’ve been,” but was able to talk through that all with Dan, which felt so good! I also feel sometimes I am expected to fix people’s problems, which I just can’t. It’s a really overwhelming feeling b/c I feel a lot of pressure, but Dan reminds me that I can’t “do it all.” And there are some other things going on that we both are getting frustrated with and wish they would all just get “fixed.”
I always thought I was a rather patient person, but I’ve learned recently that I can be far from that :). I love the line in that devotional – don’t weigh yourself down with responsibilities that are not your own – Yikes Kristin – guilty as charged :). I feel weighed down. I can’t “fix” all the problems that are in front of us. I can’t “fix” our kid situation – GOD will and I just have to let him. I think I honestly wear myself out trying to figure out what’s best for us, but God just has not revealed it to us yet and I just have to sit back and let him. The thought of sitting back, sounds so good – I think through all this, for the past month, I’ve been trying to figure it all out, asking God what He wants us to do – but I can beg and beg, but it’s not going to change His timing in it all – He knows the best timing.
I try so hard to “release” the stress of this all to God each day, but I’ve learned that is a process. Letting go. Letting go and letting God. I think God had me read that devotional today for a reason b/c I am trying to just “fix” everything around me so that I don’t have to deal with all the issues that are before us right now. But I humanly can’t fix it all – there’s too much. I need to figure out what God sees as important and focus on that. God works in such majestic ways – He knows exactly what I need, when I need it, and when I need a word of peace. What a faithful God we serve!