When my girls are home they love to watch The Bachelor. Let me tell you, this is not my favorite form of drama. I love a good train wreck but never have been a fan of watching mean girls. Nevertheless, they force me to watch it with them : ) Last night I realized in all my judgement of the show, I have my own drama and I need to take the “plank” out of my eye.
Do you find yourself participating in drama you never intended? I often ask myself how I get into “those” situations. I can tell you it has been my need and desire to “fix” things and then anxiously await the pat on the back (yuck!). Over the past three years, as I have done intense work in therapy, I realized God is not calling me to fix all things, all people or their problems (please – I have enough of my own!). None of us can control, change or cure another person – that is God’s job.
So here are my tips that I am excited to share with you today. If you are like me and find yourself jumping into a situation of “fixing”, can I encourage you to take the following steps: 1). Ask yourself why you want to get involved and answer yourself honestly. 2). Pray and ask God if He is creating this opportunity to get involved. 3). Wait – WAIT – do not act until you get a clear yes or no. In the words of Oprah – “doubt means don’t”. These steps have given me so much margin in my life to react when the timing is right, and not immediately. It has brought me peace and I hope it brings you peace too!
Inspiration:
Proverbs 26:17 (AMPC), “He who, passing by, stops to meddle with strife that is none of his [her] business is like one who takes a dog by the ears.”
Psalm 25:4 (AMPC), “Show me Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths.”
Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV), “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
Matthew 7:3 (NIV), “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s [sister’s] eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?”
