Am I Using this Insight for Good or is it Counter-Productive?

 Job 12:16 To Him [the Lord God] belongs strength and insight: both the deceived and the deceiver are His. [NIV]

As I've mentioned in previous posts, of late, two different people told me that I get caught up in trying to solve their problems and don't listen to them, the way they would want. I admire their courage in telling me this, but it's exactly what God wanted me to hear. I've spent lots of time prayerfully contemplating this.

God's been showing me many things, but am I using this insight for good or is it counter-productive? Am I just justifying my ego and blaming it on them, instead of listening to the lesson the Lord God has for me?

In reading this Bible verse, I've been both the deceived and the deceiver in this situation. I deceived myself in not even realizing I wasn't being there emotionally to really listen to them. I deceived myself into thinking that I was helping them fix any problems they might have had...like I, in and of myself, could solve those issues. Not only was I deceived in this, but maybe I was trying to have them think better of me for having the answer to all their problems. Although that wasn't really the case, because I was too busy trying to figure things out, to really listen to them the way they wanted. 

Am I Listening to the Message I'm Supposed to Get?

 Zechariah 1:4 Be not [like] your fathers, [to] whom the former prophets have cried, saying, The Lord of hosts [says this]; Turn [you] now from your evil ways, and from your evil doings: but they did not hear, nor [listen] to Me, [says] the Lord.

As you may know from previous posts, two people I care about told me that I don't listen to them, but instead try to tell them what they should do to fix their issues. I feel that if just gave myself a little pat on the hand and go on with things the way they have been, then I wouldn't be listening to the message that God has gone to great lengths for me to hear.

The Lord God wants me to grow into being the person He wants me to be, to be there for others and not let everything be clouded by my big ego, that thinks I hold the key to the best things for them to do to rectify all the issues of their lives. That's awful egotistical of me, and it appalls me that this is what I have been basically doing to people I care about. 

Fortunately for me, God gave them the courage to sharing this insight with me. Am I listening to the message I'm supposed to get or am I just licking my wounds to justify my actions?

I'm Not as Wise as I Thought

 Proverbs 1:5-6 A wise man will hear, and will increase learning: and a man of understanding shall [acquire] wise counsel, to understand a prover, and the interpretation: the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.

I'm starting to realize I must have been pretty full of myself, to think I was wise and others would benefit from my suggestions to rectify their problems. See, the important part of this, is I thought I was wise and what I was sharing was wisdom that came from my mouth, which means I was taking credit for it. I feel like kicking myself when I think about this, because I'm really opposed to taking credit for things that come from God, but look...  I did exactly what I'm opposed to!

On top of that, I convinced myself in believing that when I was sharing these suggestions with others, that I was really helping them. But the keyword  to this problem in that sentence is underlined, the word I . When I struggled with my weight so much over the years, before God healed that issue, it was on my heart many times that the "I's and Me's" were what tripped me up so often! I used to ask, Dear God help me loose the weight. Lord, help me eat better. I want to be thin, Lord, help me loose all this weight. 

It wasn't until I turned over all the control related to the "I's and Me's" and the Lord helped me with my overeating issues. I feel that turning control over to the Lord's very capable hands, was when He took control of my compulsion to overeat. After hearing how I try to have all the answers to others, rather than listening, I'm not as wise as I thought. I'm back into the I's and Me's on a whole other level, but it is basically the same thing within a disguise.

I May Have Let Pride Get the Best of Me...

 Proverbs 16:18 Pride [goes] before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.

This Bible verse seems to be very appropriate, since I'm in the midst of realizing that I may have let pride get the best of me. In my every day world, I wouldn't think so, but I've had two people I care about recently comment that I keep trying to solve their problems rather than listen to them.

How did I get so prideful that I thought I had all the right answers? How did I feel like giving them the benefit of "my golden words of wisdom" would change their lives indefinitely? It's very humbling to think that I've disappointed other people. What really is humbling is that I've disappointed my Lord God, who gave these two the courage to tell me this. 

What I think is, Satan sneaks in when I get too comfortable, and trips me up [the fall]. This could have led to a total tailspin, if I hadn't realized that the most important thing for me to do is listen to the guidance the Lord gives me on this.

I'm saddened that I was so prideful that I didn't realize I was doing this. Fortunately, the Lord will change my focus from being on what I can do for others, to actually being there for others. When I think about it, although it sounds very similar, there is a very significant difference. I've lots to be prayerful about!

I Don't Have All the Answers, but I Know Who Does!

Jesus answered and said unto them,  This is the work of God, that ye believe on Him whom He hath sent. 

I've had so many blog posts floating around in my head of late, but I apologize, because I get involved in some major Biblical research projects and hope to get to put on more posts, when I can.

I've had two situations lately, where people close to me have told me that I'm not listening to them, in the way they would like. I keep trying to solve their problems, instead. You, know, they're right! I wanted to say they were wrong, but after lots of prayerful contemplation on this, I have to be honest and admit my faults.

I wonder if, when I try to brainstorm solutions for situations, I sound like I'm the only one who knows the right answer to whatever they are dealing with at the time?

I wonder if, because God's done so many miracles in my life, I feel compelled to have the answers for others?

I wonder if, by brainstorming answers, it keeps me from being personally involved in what they're feeling at the time?

I wonder if, by trying to brainstorm the answers, I'm acting like I'm all knowing, like God? I hope not! I've had so much circling around in my mind over this and I feel it's noteworthy if two different people have said this to me about the same character flaw.

I do know I don't have all the answers, and I do know that God does! I figure if God wants me to make changes, I have to continue to be prayerful for His divine guidance, because I can't do it alone... and I don't have to have all the answers!