Not Superhuman

I've noticed in my life that I tend to be one of those people who tries to save everyone from destroying themselves. I usually fail, too. I suppose this is because I know in my heart that I can't save these people, I can't change them, even if I want to change them for the better. This has been something I've had a hard time with for a long time, and I'm again finding myself not knowing how to deal with this reality. This came up most recently a few days ago, when my ex decided to start texting me about his problems with his current girlfriend, who used to be one of my closest friends.

I never know how to handle things like this, especially when it comes to him. I like to help people, and especially people that have been a part of my life. And whether I like it or not, he was a big part of my life for a year and a half. The fact that we have "history" together, that I used to care so much about him, makes me want to help him better himself. But I know I can't do that. It actually makes me sick sometimes, because I stress so much over things I cannot possibly change. I was starting to let him get to me again, when a friend noticed, and even though it was hard, I'm very grateful that he did notice, otherwise I'd still probably be trying to talk some sense into someone who doesn't truly listen to a word I say. I've had to have friends intervene in situations where I was trying to help people before, and at least a few of those times involved this guy. The biggest issue is when I try to help someone, I don't notice whether or not my efforts are affecting myself, and this time it was affecting me negatively in quite a significant way.

It's times like these when I find I need to take a step back and remind myself that I can't change a person. Only God can. And it's not my job to change a person, it's my job to plant a seed, one which God will tend to and care for. As hard as it is for me to let go, I hate feeling like I'm giving up on someone, there's only so much I can do, and the rest is up to God. And God doesn't work on my time. He works on His time. It may take years for this person to realize the effects of what they've said these last few days. I don't even know if they'll ever come to realize it, but I hope God will continue to work in his life until he does realize the effects of his words and actions, and that one day he'll find the strength in God to want to change for the better. I can help people when God wants me to help people, and I can help those He shows me how to help, but there are people and there will be people, that I cannot help. These are the people I need to lift up to Him. I can encourage these people so long as it doesn't cause damage to myself, but God is the one who works miracles in their lives, not me. I'm not superhuman. I can only do what God wills me to do.