Why is it that most Christian fixes don’t work?
You have a problem with anger. Christian fix? Forgive!
Yeah, sure. How?
You have a problem with panic attacks. Christian fix? It’s a sin to worry.
Thanks!
You have a problem with lust. Christian fix? Don’t.
Whatever you say.
Most Christian fixes boil down to two words: Try harder. Or, alternatively: Don’t sin.
Not only does this not work, but it forces Christians underground with their problems. (Hmm. This didn’t work for me. But it must be working for everyone else. Since it works for others but doesn’t work for me, there must be something wrong with me. Out of shame, I need to hide.)
Yeah.
Newsflash! These Christian fixes don’t work for anybody. (Or hardly anybody.) So don’t feel bad.
They don’t work because they’re not designed to work. The Christian life wasn’t designed to be accomplished by trying harder. The Christian life is impossible. That’s why we need Jesus.
Most people leave it there, but don’t tell you how to bring Jesus into the problem. So you’re left to guess.
Let me explain what works for me.
I have a problem. It leaves me with a bad feeling. When I’m in that feeling, here’s where my mind goes. When my mind goes there, here’s what feels true. If my feelings could talk, this is what they would say.
Jesus, what do You want me to know?
And then wait. Give Him a chance to say what He wants to say, to show what He wants to show, to rewire your brain and your heart.
Hope this helps!
Dwight
