I know it is fair to say that saying "I cannot change a situation" can be a bit of a cop out - at least for myself, I am too often ready to throw in the towel based on an unwillingness to put in effort, especially when I perceive things are "hard".
And yet, there are situations that reach a point that I no longer have the ability to change. At that point, I can either continue to be miserable in them (I have, more often than I care to admit) or I can make a decision to change myself in the context of them.
And remind myself, of course, that almost no situation is really "forever".
You are becoming an optimist if you aren't worrying about those things which you cannot change and moving ahead towards those things you can change.
ReplyDeleteWell, let us not get carried away with anything, Ed. "Optimist" may be a little too strong of a term...but at least trying to see the things that I can influence.
DeleteI have been in a few major "well, if anything is going to change, it's gotta be me" places. I finally realized I can't make anyone do anything. I can only do what I can do. That is a freeing proposition. Add into it some doctrine:
ReplyDelete-...this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory
-...God; who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts
-For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
-He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ
-that he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
-...work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
God has made it possible for a "bit" of his Holy Spirit to live in the believer. As the believer cooperates with the urging of the Holy Spirit, he works out his own salvation. (but it's really God's Spirit making it happen)
Therefore: I'm sure that any of the good changes I've made have been my cooperation with God's urging. And any poor changes I've made have been my own 'great' ideas, or, more probably, my own fecklessness.
Thought provoking post today. Thanks for that.
The realization that we cannot make anyone do anything is a powerful one STxAR, and one I still struggle with in some aspects (most especially in human relationships). I am too often one that tends to try to double down on getting people to like me or go with my idea or "chase" them, be it in presence or ideas.
DeleteRecently I saw a post that suggested that people are like butterflies (and situations as well, I suppose): we cannot chase them, but if we plant a garden with flowers, butterflies will appear. Therefore, we should spend our time in "planting that garden" - in this example, changing ourselves (with the help of the Holy Spirit, from your example) - and the people and situations will come. Attract (via changing yourself), not chase. It was a pretty novel concept for me.
Thanks for providing the thoughts above. Made me think as well.
When we stop changing ourselves to be better, more virtuous, and better in God's eye, we start dying.
ReplyDeleteIndeed John, something I have to constantly remind myself of.
DeleteContinued prayers for Mrs. Wilder's recovery.
Doctor said her results were near perfect, so, much better.
DeleteYay!!
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