One way to categorize people is by how they react to difficulties or disappointments. Our gut response is either:
- to look inwardly and heap responsibility for everything on ourselves (saying “I just need to try harder”) –or–
- to look outwardly and heap responsibility on everyone but ourselves (saying “If only everyone else would ….”)
We can be a blend of these two types, too. And of course, this is a very simplified way of looking at people. 
I am mostly type #1 (with a healthy dose of #2 thrown in now and then). I usually think if I just try harder or do better, things will get better. There is truth to this, because I’m not perfect and I can always do better. Yet I can’t do everything and I can’t fix everything. And I certainly can’t fix people.
(By the way, what type are you?)
So while I’ve been contemplating getting my life organized, I try to keep these things in mind:
- I will not be able to fix everything.
- I won’t get my life perfect.
- I will not be able to do it all myself.
This doesn’t prevent me from taking steps to make things better, but I guess what it does is take the pressure off. I will fix what I can fix, and what I can’t, I can’t. I leave the outcome up to the Lord, while promising to do my best.
“Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit” says the Lord.
–Zechariah 4:6
I’m not really a type #2 person, but if I were, this is how I would try to adjust my thinking. My problems aren’t always caused by other people or other things. I have a choice about how I react to every challenge God allows into my life. God gives and God takes away. I will do my best to glorify Him in everything I do and leave the rest of the world in His care, not my judgment. (What do you think about this?)
Regarding Project: Life Oganized or life in general, let’s promise God — whether we’re type #1 or type #2 or a blend — that we will leave the results up to Him while we do our best for His glory. Are you with me?
What I think is in obedience we often have to do or go when we would choose otherwise. Enter Grace and Serenity. Two dear friends I’d like to spend more time with!
I’m with you!
Amen!
My son has an incurable disease. When I found out, instead of pity for our family, I did quite the opposite. I found out insurance would not pay for his life saving nutrition (because it’s food and not medicine), I have fought for a bill from the state to support other parents like me. We go to trial this year with the state for the bill.
Thanks for writing this. I am definitely a type one but of course type 2 always find a way to creep in certain situations. I definitely needed to hear this today. “Leave the results up to Him while we do our best for His glory.”
I am type 1 accept for sometimes I go so far over the edge that I like things to be in order that my family suffers. Its wrong of me. I am so encouraged by this and am so with you because I want to get better organized and plan more intimate time with each of my 4 children. God Bless you!
I tend to see the big picture on things, so when difficulties and disappointments happen, I think it was meant to be. Our God is a big God, often times it doesn’t matter what I or anyone else may have done, or not done, it would still work out the same. His hand was on it all along.
Marg — Good, good point!
I’m in!
I’m in Wardeh, because we’re all doing our best and that’s all we can do! (Love this series, by the way.)
Kelly
I am type 1, ever.
I heard this recently in a devotion. We aren’t to aim for perfection but for progress. I like that! Perfection won’t happen until I meet my Savior, but with His help I can progress. I also like knowing that my Shepherd will walk through the difficulties and pain with me. So I can embrace those hard places with an open hand asking for his help to grow.
Carol — A quote I heard recently that echoes what you’re saying is: “Perfection is not attainable. Excellence is.”
Wardeh, that quote is a keeper.
Yes, it is! I wrote it down when I heard it but had forgotten about it until you said what you did. I dug it out of my notebook — I better write it down more prominently so I don’t forget again!
I’m definitely a type 1 Wardeh. Often I load so much on my plate because I honestly feel I have to do everything to make it better, you know? It just causes stress and unfortunately, puts me in a bad mood. The first person I attack is my husband. It’s usually then he notices something is wrong and asks me what I have on my plate and we “unload” together. I’m totally in!