Although it is a whopping generalization with many exceptions, I’ve observed that men typically like to fix stuff and women like to fix people. For 30 years, I’ve watched my husband repair all kinds of vehicles, appliances, and gizmos, but when he has to deal with a complicated “people problem,” it’s apparent the man would rather have a root canal without novacaine.
I need just a little bit of that. What kind of crazy must I be to think I can don my “Superchick” suit and become the fixer of all people and the grand greaser of all cosmic wheels in the universe?
I’ve been pondering this of late because I’ve been on the receiving end of the female compulsion to fix people. Due to a frustrating health challenge, I’ve received a veritable wealth of amateur medical advice from kind folks with good intentions.
Take this … don’t take this … be sure not to eat that.
I was gratefully considering all the advice I was receiving until a friend urged me to eliminate all sugar and most carbohydrates from my diet.
No sugar and carbohydrates? Why don’t I just shave my head and lie down on a bed of nails on a frigid mountaintop in Tibet? No, thanks. I’d like to keep some life in my life, and a life without chocolate chip cookies and yeast rolls doesn’t sound like living to me.
I appreciate the compassionate hearts behind all the advice I’ve received, but it can certainly be a bit overwhelming to be bombarded with so many suggestions.
Besides, my husband and I came up with our own “natural remedy” for my malady – we think we probably just need to rearrange the furniture in our living room. We must’ve gotten our ying and our yang out of whack, obviously throwing our feng-shui out of balance and thus stifling all the good karma that usually floats around our house.
So if we just switch our two couches, all will be right in our universe. Or not.
There’s a whole lot of advice floating around out there. I don’t generally mind receiving tips from others, but when it begins to get confusing, I’m thankful I can go back to the sure things I know and trust — the truths established by God, communicated in His Word and intended to bless and protect me. Every specific situation I encounter in life is not explained in the Bible, but there are foundational principles to help me navigate all the waters of my life. And they are not complicated or confusing.
Consider this: When Jesus was asked what the greatest commandments were, He simply said we are to love God and love others (Matthew 22:36-40). When Jesus was asked how to “work the works of God,” He simply said we are to believe in Him (John 6:28-29).
We like to make it complicated for ourselves and others, but it really shouldn’t be. It’s not about a thousand rules to keep, herbal remedies, good karma, or even eating all the right stuff. It’s about living in intimate relationship with the One who made us. If I do that, everything else will be as it should be.
So, here’s my advice: (Oops, there I go again) Seek God and His wisdom. When others serve up some advice, swallow the meat and spit out the bones.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I think I’ll go rearrange my couches … just in case. (Just kidding.)