I’m a fixer. When someone tells me about a struggle, a problem, or a challenge, I am ready with a handy solution. I want to dive in and guide this person to the solution that might have been out of reach until I suggested it.

Failures in Fixing

Sometimes, perhaps too many times, I get it wrong.

• My so-called solution is different from what is needed.
• My plan of action has yet to consider all the factors involved.
• My handy fix will fail.

Suffering Avoidance

In reality, and all too often, I don’t want them to suffer. I also want to bypass any discomfort. I want to skip over any unpleasantness and run right into the land of peace and tranquility, but that is not where God has called me to serve.

Jesus made it very clear in John 16:33. “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”

In Psalm 53, David points out God’s omniscience in sharp in contrast to my own ignorance.

1 The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, doing abominable iniquity; there is none who does good.
(Psalm 53:1 ESV)

No Heart Hidden from God

God even knows what every person says in his or her own heart. Things whispered in secret are revealed to God.

I do not know what is in people’s hearts. When I try to assign motives based on guesswork, I take on things I was never designed to carry or conclude.

2 God looks down from heaven on the children of man to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God.
(Psalm 53:2 ESV)

No Mind Unread

God looks down, and He sees all that is happening. He also knows what is in the minds of everyone.

While I may even say, “I know what you are thinking,” or try to guess at someone’s logic, I don’t know. I am not a mind reader.

3 They have all fallen away; together they have become corrupt; there is none who does good, not even one.
(Psalm 53:3 ESV)

Good, Bad, and Ugly

God sees all and knows about any good done or left undone. God knows when people have fallen away from Him. He sees how corrupt they become apart from Him.

I do not know any of these things like God does, even when I think I do.

4 Have those who work evil no knowledge, who eat up my people as they eat bread,
 and do not call upon God?
(Psalm 53:4 ESV)

Called to Call Upon Him

God sees those who work towards evil ends and those who destroy others in the process. He sees how those who don’t call upon Him become disconnected entirely from His influence.

I am required to call upon God and pray every single day, sometimes every single moment. I continuously need His guidance and wisdom.

5 There they are, in great terror, where there is no terror! For God scatters the bones of him who encamps against you; you put them to shame, for God has rejected them.
(Psalm 53:5 ESV)

Enemies Eliminated

God destroys the enemies of His people in His ways and His timing.

I cannot deal with my enemies or the enemies of those I love the way God can. I must continually give them over to Him.

6 Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When God restores the fortunes of his people, let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad. 
(Psalm 53:6 ESV)

Promised Restoration

God will restore the fortunes of His people. It is not a matter of if but when.

I could never adequately restore anything the way God can. That is His work done in His ways. I am called to confidently hold onto hope because of God’s promises.

When I find myself feeling desperate to fix something for someone I love, I must be faithful to the holy work of honestly assessing my own limitations. Please note all the verses above that reveal God’s skill set in problem-solving versus mine.

Ultimately, I am also called to the sacred ministry of holding onto hope for those I care about who may have become weary in a season of prolonged suffering. I can be willing to sit in the place of struggle while clinging to the knowledge of God’s promises without offering my own quick fixes.

Prayer

Lord, forgive me for my fix-addicted ways. I don’t want to sit in suffering. I don’t want those I love to suffer. I want to bypass it all and do it my own way. But that will never bring the ultimate solutions and restoration from You. Help me know my limitations and trust You to hold me; hold them as we hold hope in You.

In Jesus’ name, amen.