Learning to Do it Yourself

We all hope for a quick fix to our problems, but that is usually not the best for us. I once had someone tell me a long story about problems that she was going through with her husband, and asked for advice on how to deal with it. I explained to her that God can fix anything, but some things require more effort from us. This is usually because we put a lot of effort into doing the wrong thing, and it takes even more effort to overcome it and do the right thing.

She was not pleased with my advice. She was not mean about it, but she said, "Isn't there just some kind of prayer you can say, or maybe sprinkle him with holy water and have it all get better?" "No, ma'am, I am sorry but it does not work that way." Those quick fixes are technically possible through a miracle of God, but He frequently does not want to give us those miracles because we often (not always, but often) do not learn as much from miracles as we do from the process of the struggle itself. Yes, you may not like the idea of doing the work, and you may have even said you will never do it. Remember, it is a bad idea to tell God you will not do what He wants.

Do not look just for the quickest way to overcome your problems. Realize that our loving Lord often wants us to strive and work for greater holiness and take responsibility for the mistakes we have made and the sins we have committed. Take a step of faith and ask for the Lord's guidance. He is willing to work with you. Yes, you can still pray for a miracle, but do not sit back passive until one arrives; it may never happen. Be willing to accept that God may very well want you to learn to do the work of fixing these things yourself.