“Your life is not a problem to be solved. It is a creation in process.”  Robert Fritz

Why do so many people love to solve problems?  Is that the best thing?  Why or why not?

Then God said, “Let us make people in our image, to be like ourselves.  (Gen. 1:26a; NLT)

I’ve often heard it said that men tend to be problem solvers.  In fact, it came out in a recent marriage seminar that Sharon and I attended…something to the effect that often when a woman tells a man about a problem she’s having, she doesn’t necessarily want a solution–she just wants to talk about it.  Where we men often get into trouble is that we don’t want to talk about it.  We just want to solve it.  “Why are you telling me all this if you don’t want a solution?”  Ever been there?

I’m getting some really fresh, new perspective from this book by Robert Fritz that I’m currently reading (Your Life as Art).  Check out this quote, “A problem solving orientation limits your creative process.”  Wow!  Say that to your favorite engineer–and duck!

Fritz’s logic utilizes four interesting arguments.  First, when we’re focused on solving a problem, we are motivated to do so because we are trying to move away from something we don’t want.  To see the the fallacy in that approach, check out the 6/18 DG.  On the other hand, we are motivated to create when we are trying to move toward a desired end.

Second, it’s the problem that is driving our actions–not the desired future.  That is unquestionably based on focusing on what we don’t want.  How many times have we beat on that horse?  Remember, what you focus on, grows.

Third, and I love this, if we are successful in driving away what we don’t want, there is no guarantee that we will correspondingly replace it with what we do want.  Recall the amazing fact that most people can’t begin to tell you what they do want…they can only tell you what they don’t want.  It was that great American philosopher, Yogi Berrra, who said, “You’ve got to be very careful if you don’t know where you’re going, because you might not get there.”

Finally, Fritz says, “problem solving can lead to mindlessness.”  Now I’ve been accused of many things, but it’s been a few days since anyone accused me of being mindless.  Seriously, if you spend your life reacting to circumstances, you might as well be mindless.  If you had half a mind, why not focus it on what you do want and apply that thinking and creativity toward achieving your desired future.  I believe all would agree that such a strategy would be far more gratifying than spending your life solving problems.

There is absolutely a time and a place where it is appropriate to solve problems.  “But that place should be an exception to the norm.”

Prayer Power
Lord, as I reflect on this idea of being a creator rather than a problem solver, I see that it is much more in line with being made in Your image that we utilize our gifts and abilities to create.  Guide us as we redeem the time that we’ve all spent focusing on the work of the enemy rather than on the work of The Creator.

Link of the Day
Robert Fritz on The Problem

Blessings to you as you begin to make this fundamental shift away from focusing on your problems.