Solution Fixation

Do you ever imagine the perfect solution to the challenges in your life? Perhaps it is your husband learning how to understand you better?

Your children finally listening to what you tell them.

That pesky sickness leaving you alone...

Lately, I've been thinking about the concept of solution-fixation. (don't google it, I made it up) :)

By this, I mean the pattern of thinking we slip into when challenges are on our doorstep; we visualise solutions and tell ourselves 'if only this were to happen, then everything would be okay.'

We can become fixated on that event or lining up of circumstances that will take us away from the challenges at hand. But is this always a healthy approach?

Certainly, creativity is wired into our very being and problems often require critical thinking and imaginative solutions (mixed with a little hard work)... however, becoming fixed on a certain solution - particularly if it is one that is outside of our control or power - can actually do the very opposite of what we are trying to achieve. It can lock us into a victim-mentality and strip us of the power to exert change over our circumstances. When we hinge our own emotional and psychological well being onto a solution that is beyond our reach we lose sight of the valuable lessons that the problem might be trying to teach us. 

In case you haven't noticed, God doesn't magically disintegrate our problems nearly as much as we would like. Trust me, I know: it would be so easy if He just....(insert obvious solution here)

But He doesn't. More often than not, He has us walk through a thing.

But perhaps there is method in His madness....

In our rush for answers, we forget an important principle:

Solutions change things around us.

Problems change things within us.

There is a time and a place for both and God in His wisdom knows exactly which it is you need; and He isn't slow on solution when you really need it. Problems can be more powerful than solutions. They're not easy, but they are potential agents of change. The challenge lies in which way they will change us? Will they make us more frustrated, disappointed and jaded? Or will they lead us into deeper intimacy and dependance on God?

I have a bit of a feeling that God takes His parenting duty very seriously....let him show you what you need to learn to cope with this problem. He won't leave you helpless.

'But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing' 

James 1:4