June 9th

Dear Friends,

When is a problem no longer a problem? 

It’s not a trick question but the answer may not be as obvious to us as it seems to be. Many people only deal with a problem to the degree it actually comes to their attention or affects them and, thus, they consider the problem dealt with when it no longer appears to them in any way.

Of course, you could argue that such an approach simply illustrates the adage, “Out of sight, out of mind.” For a problem to truly be dealt with, it must be mitigated such that it is actually remedied to the degree that is possible. To do anything less is to simply delay the time when the problem will come to your attention again. Any honest procrastinator will tell you that, when the problem resurfaces, it is usually worse than the first time it appeared.

When confronted with a problem in your life, what is your “go to” approach to dealing with it. If you are like many, you deny or ignore or rationalize the problem as long as possible. This, of course, does not deal with it in any tangible or remedial way.  If you actually commit to engaging the problem, the next challenge comes up. Will you actually mitigate the problem or will you only get it off your radar? Again, to opt for the latter approach is not to actually deal with the problem; it is only to put it in abeyance. Worse yet, the absence of the manifestation of the problem gives you a false sense of security.

Some years ago, in speaking about this approach, Steve Bell wrote: “But an illusory serenity that denies infrastructural problems will always be short-lived and will likely lead to more disruption than if confronted fully.“ (Lent; 34) He was not talking about a leaking tap or a manipulative coworker but rather about our pursuit of holiness as it applied to our sins, character flaws and relationships.

I’ll be blunt. Are you actually dealing with known problems in your life? This may involve figuring out what the problem really is (e.g. two people in conflict is not the real problem; the real problem is the attitude or belief that is causing the people to keep from seeing eye to eye) or it may involve taking actual steps to mitigate the problem. This is the path of growth and it is not easy.

I’ll be a little more blunt. If you dealt with the problem and it comes up again, you either didn’t deal with it or there is a deeper problem in your system which remains unidentified. Making something “good enough” is not the same as fixing it. If you have to go deeper, then go deeper, trusting the Holy Spirit to guide you into the truth, whatever it is. This is the way to freedom and it is the way to wholeness. It is not easy and it is seldom a “quick fix.”

We all have problems. Some of them are not even our own making. But we have to deal with them if we are to live joyfully, abundantly and in holiness. Don’t paint over them or sweep them under the rug or simply refuse to acknowledge them. That is what children do. But we are adults. Let’s face these things as adults. It’s the right thing to do.

Blessings!

Doug