It is so easy to see the mistakes and problems others are facing in their daily lives. Whether it is financial, marital or relationships, child rearing, or spiritual, we seem to have answers and advice for everyone … except when it comes to our own lives. We see everyone else's faults but our own, often not taking responsibility that we are the cause of our own problems.
Jesus addressed this very issue in the Gospels. “ .. why do you look at the speck in your brother's eye, but do not perceive the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me remove the speck that is in your eye,' when you yourself do not see the plank that is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck that is in your brother's eye” (Luke 6:41-42).
It is so easy to see everyone else. It is much more difficult to truly look at our own faults and problems. Yet, we have the audacity to solve other's difficulties while ignoring the problems in our own lives. When we address our own problems and strive to solve those issues, then we can try to help someone else by sharing the love of Christ; being a friend; and loving our fellow man as ourselves. The key is that we must first love ourselves. Yet we cannot until we acknowledge the “‘plank in our eye.’”
Christ gave Himself for our sins. Who are we to judge someone else's life or try to solve their problems? We cannot; only Christ can heal, repair, help and solve the world's problems. We should pray for our friends, neighbors and loved ones. Instead of trying to solve their problems ourselves, we should leave it to the One who knows what is best for each and every life. If we leave the decisions of life to Him, the one who created us, loves us, and died for us, we will not fail. We cannot change other lives; only Jesus can.