Some people have a long list of problems that need to be fixed in someone else. Their husband, their wife, their children, their parents, their boss, their employees, their neighbor. The list goes on and on. They want a magic wand to solve all these problems. But, they don’t want to change themselves. What is the solution?
You can’t fix other people’s problems
The sad beginning to this story is there is no magic wand. Problems cannot be fixed without change. If you perceive a problem with someone else, congratulations! It is good to be able to recognize a problem. The first impulse is to fix their problem by changing them. Unfortunately, you are not responsible to fix anyone else. This is God’s job.
- Take the plank out of your own eye before fixing someone else (Matthew 7:1-5; Luke 6:37-42; Romans 14:1-12)
- The job of a watchman ends with pointing out the problem (Ezekiel 3:16-27)
- Principles of intercession, interceding, and intercessory prayer
You must allow God to change you
It may be obvious that nothing can be fixed unless something changes, but nobody wants to admit they are the problem. Nobody wants to change. If something needs to be fixed, it needs to start with you.
If you see a problem and you want it to be fixed, then you have to change. The happy ending to this story is God has promised to help you. “being confident of this very thing, that he who began a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6). Therefore…
- Let God create a clean heart in you (Psalm 51:10)
- Let God perform his workmanship on your life (Ephesians 2:10)
- Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think (Romans 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 3:16-18; 1 Corinthians 6:18-20)
- Let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes (Ephesians 4:23)
- Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine (2 Corinthians 13:5)