I QUIT letting OPP (other people’s problems) be my problems. I QUIT!!

I QUIT letting OPP (other people’s problems) be my problems.  I QUIT!!

There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.  Proverbs 14:12

So here we are. The year has come to the halfway mark. We have talked about starting over. We have discussed Peace and forgiveness. We have taken a look at unity. Now we have to look at some details. We can’t succeed without identifying personal obstacles that will hinder the life we are seeking. In order to get higher up the mountain, you have to release whatever will not truly help you move efficiently. 

One of those obstacles that we face is allowing other people’s problems to become our problems. We already have to contend with personal challenges, but many times those challenges are joined by allowing other’s to burden us with theirs. It’s time to put an end to that. 

Have you ever been in a situation where you seem to be stressing out over something that has nothing to do with you?  Have you seen what happens when you take the feelings of friends or even family concerning something, and now you can’t sleep, lost your peace, and are acting out of character?

It almost becomes like a series you are trying binge watch. Your attention is glued to it. Can’t talk about nothing else. Can’t see no positives. And what is worse, the people we let influence us like this, may either be stressing out like us, or getting plenty of sleep after they have dumped it all on you. 

Within the last decade, the idea of “protecting my peace” and other phrases like it have come to the forefront of mental health and self-care conversations. The reason why this is so crucial goes back to the human need for rest. Rest doesn’t mean just sleeping or going on vacation. Rest is also a state of being. One in which we cast aside the stressors and their emotional/mental allies-fear, anxiety, among others- which also can cause an avalanche of physical symptoms as well. 

This of course takes us back to the complete rest that God offered us at Creation and offers now through Christ. 

It’s the rest that Gen. 2 points us back to when we are called to do as God did, and rest within the context of God’s creative, sustaining, and intervening power in our lives. When God rested, He didn’t focus on the darkness, chaos, and void that He brought Light, Order and Life too. He focused on the fact that everything was finished and complete. He enjoyed being among His creation. He turned His mind toward spending time with us. He didn’t worry if the darkness would step outside of its boundaries and take over. He knew it wouldn’t.  After all, He is in control. So like Him, let us focus on the facts: God is Creator, in control of all the elements, does all things well, He is with you, and will continue to take care of everything outside of our control. I’m reminded of the song, Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus. The part that speaks to me most is the peace we gain when we look into His face and the things of the world grow strangely dim. 

It’s the rest that Jesus referred to in Matthew 11 and Peter talks about in 1 Peter 5. Jesus is inviting people to come to Him and learn a lifestyle that will lead them to rest. Those who are overwhelmed can come to Him, trade their yoke for His, which is easy and light, and find rest unto their souls. Peter says to cast all our cares on Him because He cares for us. In other words, instead of losing sleep over what we cannot control, give them over to Jesus. Focus on what He tells us to do, and the mission that He called us to live. Coming to Him with our burdens and giving them to Him are the keys here. 

It’s the rest that David sings about in Psalm 23. Focusing on The Great Shepherd will keep you steady/anchored in the midst of even the valley of the shadow of death. Proverbs 26 warns us away from meddling in other people’s affairs. The one who does is like the random foolish person that messes with a dog they have no relationship with. They regret the experience. 

Jesus invites us to accept His Rest and rest in Him. He tells us to keep our minds stayed on Him so that He can keep us in perfect peace. Paul reminds us in Philippians 4 what to focus on:

“Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.”

So let things be. Let people be. Give all things over to Jesus. He will help you to walk on water, before you begin to run on it, in order to take off and fly on wings of eagles above the waves. 

So, say it with me fam!!!  I QUIT LETTING OPP be my problems!!  I’m FREE!!!