One day Lucy approached Charlie Brown and asked, “Discouraged again, eh, Charlie Brown?”  Charlie Brown didn’t say a word.  “You know what your trouble is? The whole trouble with you is that you are you!”  Charlie Brown replied, “Well, what in the world can I do about that?”  Lucy shrugged her shoulders and said, “I don’t pretend to be able to give advice, I just point out the trouble.”  Anyone can be a critic; it takes someone with ability and insight to offer solutions. 

     Not long ago, a gentleman approached me and told me everything that he perceived was wrong in my church.  I asked him if he would help me become part of the solution and not continue being part of the problem.  He seemed dumbfounded and asked what I meant.  I proceeded to tell him that he offered me no valuable assistance unless he could give me quality, impartial solutions.  If you are merely pointing out the obvious without offering help, you are not being very beneficial.

     When you see a troublesome situation do you just point out what is wrong or do you seek to find answers?  At the end of the day, people who can guide others to a solution or remedy will be the people who are most influential in a circumstance. Are you a problem-cynic or problem-solver?