I speak to those of you who have become obsessed with changing your circumstances and people around you to fulfill your own desires and meet your personal needs. You have pinned your hopes on these changes, but I tell you that this is foolish optimism and will only bring deep disappointment. And, when you find yourself disappointed and discouraged with the way things are, your tendency is to take control and try to force change. Save your energy. Your circumstances are not designed to cause those around you to adjust themselves to please you, but rather are for the purpose of molding, shaping, and adjusting you into the image of Christ. You are looking at life through natural eyes instead of using your spiritual vision when you see the speck in your brother’s eye and have not taken care of the log in your own eye. (Matthew 7:3-5)
