I'm one of those people who wants to fix everything. But sometimes, I can't fix anything. Today is one of those days. #COVID #fix #attitude #faith #problems #relationships

I’m one of those people who wants to fix everything. But sometimes, I can’t fix anything. Today is one of those days.

This post is part of the Five-Minute Friday quick write hosted by Kate Moutang. Join us each Thursday night on Twitter (#FMFParty) for fun and fellowship, then grab a pen and start writing when the prompt goes live!

I'm one of those people who wants to fix everything. But sometimes, I can't fix anything. Today is one of those days. #COVID #fix #attitude #faith #problems #relationships

When You Can’t Fix Coronavirus

Day 10 of COVID quarantine, and I need to fix my worn-out attitude. Normally, I bop along with a pretty even temperament. But COVID sapped my physical strength and drug my emotional endurance down along with it.

Uncertainties seem more uncertain. Will we have to close the school for two weeks and send all the kids home? Should we ditch our plan to have a spring vacation and just power through for another super semester? How many staff members have colds and not COVID? Do the kids who say they have symptoms actually have real symptoms, or just imagined ones?

I wake up feeling fine each morning and try to get back into my regular routine of exercise. But by lunchtime, I fall into bed exhausted. By 7:30 at night I can’t keep my eyes open. This physical exhaustion makes every. little. thing. seem like a big deal.

My tolerance for changes turns up intolerant. I struggled to finish a book and then I struggled to write a kind book review. The main character seemed narcissistic and whiney. When I finished, I felt like an exhausted therapist.

Maybe COVID has brought out nine months of uncertainties and paraded each one through my subconscious over and over again. Twenty-twenty was not an easy year. Not for economic reasons, but more for relational revelations.

How can I fix my worn-out attitude and regain my equilibrium?

The Only True Fix

I only know of one way. If I fix my eyes on Jesus, the pioneer, and perfector of my faith (Hebrews 12:2), my worn-out attitude will start to look pathetic and narcissistic. Things that seemed impossible and made me whiney ten minutes ago take on a different cast when I fix my eyes on Jesus.

I find comfort knowing he has promised me the strength to accomplish the seemingly impossible. God promises to give strength to the weary and power to the weak (Isaiah 40:29). If I fix my mind on Jesus and not on the impossibilities and my human limitations, my worn-out attitude starts to matter less.

Fixing my eyes on Jesus takes an act of faith. A choice to remain calm and let Jesus carry on. An admission that I can’t fix my own problems in any other way than fixing my eyes on the One who can.

I'm one of those people who wants to fix everything. But sometimes, I can't fix anything. Today is one of those days. #COVID #fix #attitude #faith #problems #relationships
I have to admit I can't fix my own problems and fix my eyes on the One who can. #fmfparty #faith Click To Tweet

20 Comments

  1. They say I need new attitude
    ‘stead of that which I have brung;
    they don’t like my happy mood
    and prefer that I were glum,
    for cancer is quite serious,
    a deathly deadly thing,
    and so they are imprerious
    in calling me to sing
    the blues that surely will reflect
    the pain that’s in my heart,
    but the sad song’s main effect
    is something like a fart
    to this grinning cheerful man,
    the defining grace of ‘hooligan’.
    Andrew Budek-Schmeisser recently posted…Tell Me What You FeelMy Profile

  2. I so relate to all you are saying. I love the way you write and put things to get the message across. God bless and I pray as you lean into God you will feel your spirit lift. God bless. – Loretta your fmf neighbour #4 x

  3. I am so sorry you have been under the weather, Anita. It truly is so discouraging for educators in so many ways. But you have said it well >>> “Fixing my eyes on Jesus takes an act of faith.” May faith rise up in each one of us to fix our eyes and stay the course!

  4. “Fixing my eyes on Jesus takes an act of faith. A choice to remain calm and let Jesus carry on. ” I need the reminder. I am a fixer. I recognize what has shaped that behavior but letting go is hard. And I understand your exhaustion. As a sub, I experience only a taste of what you have been through. Teachers are heroes!

  5. Fix your eyes on Jesus, yes. Also know that there is so much grace for the bad attitude that comes along with any illness. Even when you’re feeling salty and don’t have your eyes on Christ, His eyes remain on you, and He loves you so. Praying for you today!

  6. I’m exhausted from the constant changes that have come my way since covid-19 shut down the world almost 11 months ago. It has been a struggle to maintain an attitude of gratitude…but I must do just that! Every day is a new opportunity to love others with the heart of Jesus.
    Barb Hegreberg recently posted…Fix – Five Minute Friday #3My Profile

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Anita Ojeda

Anita Ojeda juggles writing with teaching high school English and history. When she's not lurking in odd places looking for rare birds, you can find her camping with her kids, adventuring with her husband or mountain biking with her students.

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