Trying to Fix It

There are those of a more modern school of counselors who say you should never give people advice. I am not altogether comfortable with this opinion. It is based on the idea that human beings are basically good and can find the answers to all their problems within themselves. Nonetheless, there is a danger in too easily trying to fix other people's problems for them without spending the time to sympathize with them and understand their problems. It is always easier to come up with pat answers than to show genuine concern for people and their troubles (Romans 12:15; 1 Corinthians 12:26; 2 Corinthians 1:3,4). Also, we need to realize that there is real tribulation in the world, which we may not be able to simply fix (John 16:33; Acts 14:22; Romans 8:18). We live in a world under sin (Romans 3:23; Jeremiah 17:9; Isaiah 64:6) and a curse (Romans 8:19-23; Genesis 3:16-19; Revelation 22:3), and not all situations are easily fixed, or even fixable. If we genuinely have any valuable advice we should share it. But we should carefully consider before doing so. And we need to start by listening and caring. This is commonly much more valuable than advice. And it makes the advice much more likely to be listened to if it is given. But we particularly need to avoid the idea we can fix every situation if we put our mind to it. We do not have that ability.