What do you do when things aren’t going the way you think they ought to? It might be in your marriage, your studies, your family, your job, your church, your ministry, your health…you get the picture, right? No matter what it is, at times you and I will be face-to-face with unwanted results (or lack thereof), unhappy people, and unmet expectations.
I’ve blogged before about my tendencies to complain, whine, and give up/give in. I’ve made excuses, passed the blame to other people or circumstances beyond my control. I’ve tried harder, stayed up later, and prayed more. But I’ve also had a few victories, a few good reactions. I think I’m growing in this area.
Someone (Eldridge Cleaver, it turns out) said that you’re either part of the solution, or you’re part of the problem. When it becomes clear that things are headed in a direction other than what we’re after, you and I have to make a choice. Tom Hanks captured this truth in his timeless morality tale, That Thing You Do.
The Wonders are in breach of contract, and Mr. White pulls the plug on their recording. Lenny drowns his pain in partying and gambling. TB Player runs off to join the Marines. Jimmy quits the band (singing his exit to Mr. White). Guy ends up shifting gears, declares his love for Faye, and they stay on the West coast, eventually running a music conservatory.
So do you quit? Do you party and ignore the problem? Do you find something else meaningful to do with your life? Or do you re-focus the vision and attack the problem?
If it ain’t workin’, maybe it’s time to stop doing that thing you do, and find another way to get to where you want to be.
That’s my advice for me today.
0 Comments