Are You Shouldering a Burden That Is Not Yours To Carry?

When my youngest recently broke his thumb, I took him to an orthopedic surgeon to fix it.

When one of my children scraped a knee or elbow, I grabbed some ointment and a band-aid to fix it.  

When my computer quit connecting properly this week, I called the technician to fix it. 

I find comfort in seeking out solutions to problems. I don’t want to let something fester or drag on. Instead, I endeavor to take the steps that are needed to fix the situation. 

But no matter how hard I try, there are some situations that are completely out of my control. 

Some Battles Are Not Ours to Win

Maybe you are like me. Maybe you, too, seek solutions to all the problems that creep (or leap) into your life. 

But I’m slowly learning an important lesson: Some problems are not ours to fix. Some battles are just not ours to win, because they are out of our league.

I'm slowly learning an important lesson: Some problems are not ours to fix. Share on X

We can only go so far in fixing many emotional, spiritual and physical issues. 

A prodigal child. 

A terminal illness. 

A broken relationship. 

An unrepentant spouse.

“For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens.” Ephesians 6:12

A Burden to Surrender

Yet how many of us try to inject a bit more faith fervor into our loved ones with sermonettes, Scripture quotes and frequent “reminders” of the “right” way they should act? 

How many of us try to “repair” all that is going wrong in a loved one’s lives? 

How many of us shoulder a burden that is not ours to carry?  

Don’t get me wrong, it’s important to encourage each other. It’s right that we should care enough to want to help.

But our role as Christians is much more to be on our knees welcoming divine assistance than on the phone or search engines trying to provide temporal help. 

Our calling is much more to be a pray-er than a fixer. 

Our calling is much more to be a pray-er than a fixer. Share on X

For some of us giving up this control is difficult. “Doing something” brings us comfort. 

But as I grow in faith and wisdom (okay age), I’m realizing that praise, thanksgiving and prayer intercession is the best “doing something” there is. 

Praise, thanksgiving and prayer intercession is the best 'doing something' there is. Share on X

“This is what the Lord says: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast number, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.” 2 Chronicles 20:15

Reflections: Do you have a fixer mentality? In which situations is it hard for you to let go and let God do battle for you? How do you remind yourself to go to God first? What situation do you need to give to God today?

I am thrilled to link up with Suzie Eller for #livefreeThursday and this week’s prompt, “God, are you asking me to fix [fill in the blank]”. I love special linkups. They provide an abundance of great inspiration and encouragement all in one place. Click on the image below or links above to check them out.