Take Responsibility

Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and import duties, and give respect and honor to all to whom it is due. Romans 13:7

On occasion people come into our office who just can’t see why everyone in their family and friendship circle is upset with them. Their side of the story usually sounds like this: “Everyone picks on me.” “My mom [or dad] is so unreasonable [or crazy or abusive, etc.].” “They just don’t know what my life is like.” “They are power hungry! They want to take my kids away from me and rule their lives too!”

Then the friends and relatives come in and we hear: “She won’t get a job—she’s twenty-seven!” “He expects we’ll bail him out every time he gets in trouble.” “She acts so deprived, but we paid for her college, her car, and even got her into an apartment. All we ask is that she keep a job and keep the apartment so she doesn’t have to move back home.” “We are old. We thought we’d be on our second honeymoon or at least able to retire, but we are afraid of what will happen to our grandkids if we don’t step in.”

Can you say irresponsible? Romans 14:12 says, “Each of us will have to give a personal account to God.” We’re all accountable for ourselves. Life is not a free ride. Life doesn’t owe you anything. It is a healthy day in a teen’s life when he or she realizes no one ever has to do anything for you—any help you are given is a gift. It is tragic when that day of realization hits people in their twenties, thirties, forties, or later.

Are you carrying an attitude that someone owes you? Take off the blinders and see that the only way to feel good about yourself is to take responsibility for yourself.