It’s not your responsibility

Recently I’ve been talking to a lot of friends who are burdened by things in their lives. Big problems, little problems. Massive problems, teeny problems. Mental problems, emotional problems, physical problems.

But the true burden is because they feel like they’re responsible for other people’s actions. And we’re not.

No matter what we do or not do, we’re not to blame for what other people choose to do.

You are not responsible when someone chooses to sin. Or do something selfish. Or something questionable. Or something rude, malicious, or mean.

Nothing you do or don’t do makes someone sin.

The problem is, we tend to take responsibility. We feel like our actions somehow influenced someone in some way to do something that led to something bad.

But we’re not responsible, and when we feel guilty for someone else’s decisions, that’s just the Enemy trying to bring us down. It saps our spirit, drains energy, steals joy.

Don’t listen to Satan!

Okay, that’s kind of lame. Sorry. But it’s true.

Why would you want to carry a burden that isn’t yours? You don’t, right?

Time for your prayer warriors to hold you up. Prayer chases Satan away, and when we’re burdened, we need those prayers just to stay sane. And we all know sanity is such a rare commodity these days that we have to hold firm to the little we do have.

Here’s to staying sane!

Camy Tang lives in San Jose, California. She previously worked in biology research, and she is a staff worker for her church youth group. She runs the Story Sensei critique service, and her Asian chick lit novel, Sushi for One?, released September 1st.

Comments

[Brittanie]

Camy Thank you. This is just what I needed to hear right now in dealing with a friend of mine.

[Jennifer Hudson Taylor]

Camy,

Great post. It's true that we tend to want to take on other's responsibility. I've caught myself feeling like I've failed if I'm trying to help someone and they just keep making bad choices. You have to do what you can and learn to step back at the right time so you don't get caught up in their web of bad choices, what I mean is enabling them.

[Michelle Gregory]

i went for years believing the enemy's lies that things were my fault. glad that's over. (i still deal with it once in a while). it was such a joy stealer.

thanks for posting this.

michelle

[Rel]

Hey Camy - have you been in my brain lately or what??? Great post :)

[Deena @ My Bookshelf]

Great post! I try to remember this, but sometimes I get blindsided, especially when it comes to those I love so much....great food for the soul:-)