Ms. Fix-It. This is an oxy moron for me.
I have decided that I have a “savior” complex. I try to be the savior for anyone or anything that I see wrong. I can’t help it. When I see someone hurting, something in my brain says how can we fix this and I immediately begin working feverishly to try to make them better. Mind you this has backfired more times than I can count and yet I can’t seem to stop myself.
Not that this helping people is wrong. My method of helping is what seems to be wrong. Sometimes I forget to turn the problem over to the ultimate Savior first and ask Him for guidance and direction with my help before I jump in with both hands and feet and start to do things on my own. I had a painful reminder of that this week. When we move in the flesh, more often than not we mess up more than we help. Generally the people that I help are fine. It’s my own life that ends up crazy. Of course I am also guilty of sometimes helping to the point of enabling and then that really isn’t helping the person I set out to help is it… It’s a vicious cycle that I desperately want to stop.
I am reminded of what I learned to do when a Fire is in the room. STOP, DROP. AND ROLL.
The Fire is whatever the problem may be at the time. When the problem comes, instead of diving head first to fix it, I need to:
STOP – to seek God’s face.
DROP – to my knees and pray.
ROLL – in the Direction that God is steering me.
Sometimes that help may mean that I physically step in. Sometimes it may mean doing absolutely nothing and trusting God to move. Other times my prayers for that person may be the way that I help. The main thing I need to do is ask God first and act later.
I hope Ms. Fix It is on her way out for good. I don’t want her stopping by even for a visit.
Forgive me Lord for not seeking Your face about everything. Help me to remember that you are indeed in control and You have a plan. Help me to balance the desire to help others and stay in Your will. Give me the strength to seek your face and wait for your answer before I dive in.
Toya, I can only comment aptly on all this if we are talking. If you go to a developing country, you’ll find that you have a lot of superior knowledge, good old mother wit that isn’t available there, and Ms. Fix It It will reemerge. I don’t think she’s all bad, and please be careful before you banish her for all time. Of course, I believe you should pray for guidance (I often jump in and pray later. Not so good)but if you see a child with a fever, give it an aspirin and don’t hesitate. A minister of our church said, when I was still small, that “Intelligence is what God wants.” His words exactly. So remember that God will often lead you to a situation orlead a situation to you. We are to watch as well as pray. To say that I am proud to call you my friend, is a true understatement. You will succeed, because God will be with you.
Gwynne