If its not working, try something new

Background: I bought this “natural” deodorant with hopes of reducing the amount of chemicals my body is exposed to, but its not controlling the odor. After 4 weeks of use, it dawns on me that I don’t have to suffer with armpit odor, just go get another brand that works. Duh!

We’ve all heard that if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. But what do you do when it is broke? Most people would say, fix it or throw it away. But you’d be amazed how often we tolerate broke things. We allow our relationships to go on broken for decades. We drive around with the oil change light on until the car becomes broken. Why do we do this? Let’s be honest. Sometimes the funds are low, so you put things off that need to be done. Other times you may be afraid to bring up the hurts that must be worked through in order to save a relationship. Time is another factor that can put us in a situation where things are left undone or broken.

The beginning of Proverbs 31 is a lecture from a mom to her son. Essentially she is reminding him that engaging in “things that ruin kings”, has a negative impact on not just him, but those he is to serve. This momma was sounding the alarm. She called her son out and pointed to the source of his brokenness. She then explained what the consequences would be if he did not fix his situation. She ended with what he would be like in a fixed state.

So it goes with us. When things are broken, we must consider the impact on those around us. My deodorant example is very minor, but the other examples can be major. The first step is identifying when things are broken and the source of the brokenness. We must then evaluate the consequences of leaving things in a broken state. Finally we have to visualize what our situation would be like in a fixed state. Writing this is one thing, doing it is another.

When it comes to relationships, the cooperation of others is involved and sometimes things have been broke for so long, that time and maybe an intermediary are necessary to begin the mending process. For physical things, a plan is required in order to make provisions for the fix and a timeline in which to complete it. Fixing things that are broken can be a daunting task, but the rewards are always greater than perpetual brokenness.

In the case of my deodorant, I could scrap the “natural” products, but I won’t achieve my goal of reducing the chemicals I expose myself to. So I will stick with the natural products, just try a new brand. The check engine light flashing at you on the dashboard is not a reason to trade in your car or set it on fire and request insurance money. The same for relationships. When they go awry, that’s not a reason to scrap them. Consider all involved, the consequences of the current path and the rewards of getting back on the right path. If scrapping a vehicle or relationship is a strong option, seek a professional to make sure there is no chance for repair.

References: Proverbs 31:1-9