I know I’m getting older, but I don’t know who told these people I need to be in a rolling chair or that I am hard of hearing. (I admit I might have selective hearing which a hearing aid won’t fix.)
But they are persistent in their evaluation of my health and send me numerous letters giving me kind offers of devices and equipment.
We often meet people who consider themselves wise and have an answer for every question and a solution for every problem. Sometimes, you just want to say, “Please don’t try to fix me.”
Intentions are good, but God is the only one who knows our needs and how to supply those needs. He may lead you to talk to someone, but He gives the wisdom and understanding needed.
When I talk to someone about a problem, it doesn’t mean I want them to diagnose the situation and “fix it.” There are some things friends can’t do, no matter how much they care. It might just be I want someone to listen.
God is a good listener. And if something needs fixing, He will do it right. I lamented the fact that after the two people in my life who always listened died —my husband and my father — there was no one for me to go to. Then I realized that my Heavenly Father was always there, ready to hear and to answer. No quick fixes ... no mistaken diagnoses ... no rebuffs — just understanding, wisdom and love.
“And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him (1 John 5:14, 15).” Is anything more assuring than these words?
We can easily go beyond our range of knowledge in spiritual or temporal situations. As much as we would like to boast in our abilities, we have to admit our failures. In fact, just last week, I found out how limited my knowledge of mechanics is.
My printer quit “again” and gave me the message, “paper jam.” I opened it and found no paper, but what I did discover was the printhead was stuck and wouldn’t move to the center. I was going to help it a little and gave a tug on the ribbons that pulled the printhead to the proper position.
Well, I fixed it all right. The ribbons pulled out of the mechanism. Thankfully, even after I told the company what I had done, they are sending me another printer.
I was outside my realm of knowledge and made a problem worse. The truth is, we often make our spiritual problems more difficult to fix in trying to second-guess our Lord and ultimately make a bigger mess.
My prayer: Jesus, I choose to trust you and obey your Word. When I begin to “fix” things on my own, please sit me down and remind me that I am your child and am dependent on You. Thank you for loving me. Thank you for choosing me. Thank you for keeping me.”
