It seems like a lot of problems have been cropping up in my life lately. They range from big to small……..from annoying aggravations to full blown disasters. I’m sure that you are dealing with problems too. The challenge is to ride out the storms without losing your joy and peace……..and that can be hard.
So how do we deal with problems?
What do we do when our best laid plans go off the tracks?
One of the rules that I try to live by is this:
Don’t worry about things that you cannot change…….focus on the part of the problem that you can fix. This is easier said than done……but it is good counsel.
When an annoying problem surfaces (speeding ticket) …….when a full blown disaster crashes down on your world (illness, job loss, the death of a loved one) the first step is to sort the problem into two categories……..the part of the problem that you can fix……and the part of the problem that is beyond your control.
The first category is the easy one. Do whatever you can to fix the fixable…….. and this includes getting help. Oddly, diving into the fixable will help take your focus away from the part of the problem that you cannot fix.
The second category is problematic. It can be hard or easy. For the secular humanist there are two approaches: #1 ignore the problem and #2 worry pointlessly………”we’re all gonna die!”. Unfortunately, neither of these approaches will fix anything. Ignoring the unfixable at least buys you a little peace…..as long as you can keep it up. Pointless worry just makes you and those around you miserable. This is the hard approach. For the easy approach, for the Christian, things are different. You pray, turn the unfixable over to God, and then get back to work on the fixable. People will wonder how you can find peace and joy in the face of tragedy. They may even think that you are heartless……..or just hard. But here’s the thing, the Christian approach works. It works by helping you to live and love your way through the crisis. But, also, when I look back over the years, it is surprising how many times God has taken care of the “unfixable”. I suspect that I will someday learn that he has also fixed many of the things that I thought he had missed.
So…….there it is…….the secret to living a life of joy and love in the midst of tragedy.
Fix what you can……..turn the rest over to God in prayer……then get back to work on the fixable.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Paul, NIV
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
David, NIV