Are You a Fixer?

Lilye Waters • February 9, 2023
Are You a Fixer?

Trying to fix people’s problems. Even at a young age, this seemed to be the thing I did. It seems to be in my blood, and while there is nothing wrong with supporting and helping, there are bumps that come along the way if you’re not keeping emotional boundaries in check.

Are you a fixer? I have spent my past twenty plus years in my work career helping, supporting, and guiding others and the majority of my life trying to fix people’s problems. Even at a young age, this seemed to be the thing I did. It seems to be in my blood, and while there is nothing wrong with supporting and helping, there are bumps that come along the way if you’re not keeping emotional boundaries in check.

Minion Character Sitting on Keyboard

Fixer


I am an empath all the way.  As an empath I carry other people’s problems as if it were my own. There are times when I know that the outcome of helping is only going to result in pain. Yet I still help. Aren’t we supposed to help others? Isn’t that the right thing to do?  Yes, we need to care and help others, but there is personal responsibility for us all and helping ourselves make things better.


According to Galatians 6:1-5, “Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. Each one should test their actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, for each one should carry their load.” 

3D Render of Person Holding Suitcase

In this scripture above, Paul is talking about love, but he is also talking about personal responsibility. 


We all carry burdens/loads. The weight of that load varies for all of us.  There are times we need someone to reach out and ask if they can lighten the load.  We can lighten the load to ease their burden, but there is still personal responsibility to get rid of the load.  We can be helpful, supportive, and loving, but that does not mean we are the one’s meant to fix their problems or take responsibility for them.  We will not fix their problems or get rid of their load completely.  Only one person can do this, and we in our human flesh are not the ones with that great power.


I have been guilty of trying to be the ultimate fixer forgetting that God is the fixer and the redeemer. I do not have the power . When I think of this can of power, I think about Spiderman movie with the famous quote – “With great power comes responsibly”. I am only merely a helper to what God can fix if God desires my help at all. It is not for me or anyone else to take the load completely, that is God’s responsibility. But even than there is personal responsibility. We are all responsible for in the loads we carry.


As the person helping, I am responsible for keeping emotional boundaries and being a support system not the fixer.

Woman Smiling for Selfie

Lilye Waters

Lilye is inspired by her 20+ years of personal and professional experiences with the mission to encourage others to find beauty in the ashes and refuse to sink despite any obstacle. Lilye is a devoted mom, wife, and caseworker with years of experience in the social service field with emphasis on family and marriage, teaching, adoption, foster care, at risk youth, and mentoring young adults.

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