One of the biggest challenges that I see when counselling people is a difficulty in identifying the root cause of the issues that they face. They know that there is a level of their behavior that is off but they don’t know why. They see smoke in their life but they don’t know where the fire is. 

If you’re new to this blog, I’m taking 1 resolution of Jonathan Edwards each day and reflecting on it. His 24th resolution was…

Resolved, Whenever I do any conspicuously evil action, to trace it back, till I come to the original cause; and then, both carefully endeavour to do so no more, and to fight and pray with all my might against the original of it.

Edwards didn’t want to run around in circles. When he did something wrong he wanted to know why he did it. He prayerfully considered the “why” question behind his actions and this led him to deeper freedom than most. If we never identify the fire, the smoke will never stop. By smoke I mean the peripheral behavioral problems that are merely symptoms of deeper issues. For example, someone might say, “I regularly snap at my family.” If this behavior is the smoke, then ask yourself: what is the source? Are you stressed or anxious? Are you harboring unforgiveness toward someone? Are you carrying the guilt from some past experience? These issues may very well be the flames that are producing smoke between you and your family. I will tell you that chasing the deeper answers may be a hard process but it will be well worth the effort. Asking other people for help on this is definitely a good way start. This is also something that should be a focus in your prayers. 

What are the “smoke” issues in your life? Where is the fire? I would encourage you to prayerfully consider these questions.