Hello, my name is Anne and I’m a fixer. Oh, you too? Then you have found this season of life so much fun….From Covid-19 to stay at home orders, to the horrific senseless murders, racial tension, riots….Ummm no. Those of us who need to make everything right, who need to swoop in and fix it are in agony. It is stressful when you like things in order, when you like control. When you desperately need to not just help but fix. It’s what I do and it might be what you do. You fix. It even got to the point one of my daughters would say as I was pouring out lots of wisdom and knowledge, “Mom, I don’t need you to fix this I just need you to listen.”. So now I always say “is this something you need me to fix or just listen?”, I’m a work in progress.
So the other morning driving to church I was feeling a bit out of sorts. I commented a little too much (on FB) trying to fix and it just blew up in my face. I guess my first mistake was thinking I could fix anything with a comment on FB. I didn’t take time to pray, think, process, understand etc. You get it don’t you? Or is it just me.
So I took it to the Lord. I said God, “I don’t know what to do. I don’t know how to fix all that is going on and I don’t even know where to begin.” Just ask my sweet husband, he can attest to my frustrations. I clean like a mad women when I’m frustrated. I was traipsing around the house crying, frustrated, angry, sad and all the feelings of a fixer. So I continued to the Lord and said “I really didn’t even know what to pray, just help me.” He kindly spoke to my heart and said “it isn’t yours to fix, it’s mine. I’m still in control remember?” Oh, of course. Sorry God, there I go trying to do your job. Then He gave me an assignment. He said, “I want you to spend some time in My Word looking up the word fix. See what I have to say about how you can be a fixer.” So I did and here is what I found.
Proverbs 4:25 in the NLT says “Look straight ahead and FIX your eyes on what lies before you.” 27 Don’t get sidetracked, keep your feet from following evil”
Keep your feet from following evil – for me that means staying away from media. Not reading every headline, not reading every national news site. Fix my eyes on what lies before me is the plan and purpose of God. The enemy will use things to distract our attention from what God wants us to focus on. So, look straight.
Paul said in Philippians 3;17 “Join together in following my example, keep your eyes FIXED on those who live as we do! Many live as enemies of the cross and their destiny is destruction.”
Right before this verse Paul says we need to love one another, work together with one mind and purpose. As the body of Christ we can’t get divided. We need to stay as one.
Philippians 4:8 (one of my favorites) says “FIX your thoughts on what is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely and admirable.”
I reference this scripture often because our thoughts, our mind is so powerful. It can be so easy to read something, hear something and get our thoughts going in a million different directions. 1 Cor 10:5 in the NLT says “We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.” We need to check our thoughts to make sure they line up with the Word of God. The same can be said for what comes out of our mouths. Is what we say true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, admirable…..
Colossians 3:2 says “FIX your mind on what’s above not what’s here on earth.” and 2 Corinthians 4:18 says So we fix our eyes not on what is seen but what is unseen since what is seen is temporary but what is unseen is eternal.”
This life, as challenging and difficult is, not the end. This is temporary. But I believe while God has me here on earth I have an assignment. Not to do what only He can do but to do what the Word tells me. To Love Him with all my passion, prayer and intelligence and to love others as well as I love myself. These are the greatest commands (Matthew 22). Psalm 16:8 which is my life verse says “I keep my eyes fixed on the Lord, with Him at my right hand I will not be shaken.” Good reminder.
Unmasked: Living Life For Real 