One of my children dozed off while doing a math assignment today. I woke the child up. Then it happened again. And again.
After the fifth or sixth time I said drily, “Hmmm. I think you’re defining the problem the wrong way. You think the issue is that you’re tired. But the real problem is how you’re going to get your work done even though you’re tired.” The child grudgingly came up with a strategy that got the job done.
Defining problems well is important, for the problem we name pretty much determines the range of solutions we can imagine. When I am frustrated and howl, “I can’t stand this awful situation!” I’m defining the problem as my circumstances, and my prayers tend to center on making the hardship go away.
That’s okay, but that might not be the real problem. If I cry, “How can I draw close to God in the midst of this awful situation?” I come up with a different path. Then my relationship with Him is the focus of my prayers, and the issue is how to grow in faith even though the circumstances I face are difficult.
Sometimes, of course, emotions make it almost impossible to figure out what the real problem is. I have a go-to prayer for when I get stuck. It’s really simple:
Holy Spirit, show me another way to look at this.
He usually does. And then I can move on in a better direction.
Listen online to Julia Attaway discuss “How Do You Forgive When It's Hard to Forget?” with Minister Ty'Ann Brown of OurPrayer. Wednesday, February 4 at 12pm ET. You can also call Julia with your questions: (877) 904-0198.
Here's more information on the event.
