Change and Rescue Operations

Two blogs ago I began to share my thoughts about the change process. If you wish to learn how to really influence others without getting caught in the Rescuer Triangle, read my book, Hope and Change for Humpty Dumpty.(Call 769-4600 to order)

Stage I. Pre-Conviction, Stage II. Conviction and Stage III. Considering Change are discussed in a past posting.

Stage IV: Changing my Behavior-This is when we stop smoking, quit drinking, begin the diet or actually Change my actions. Everything else that happens before this is important but here is the jackpot. Unfortunately, many of us expect others to get to Stage IV. Immediately and we are very disappointed when there are delays.

Think about the Rescuer Triangles and how many Rescuers are upset when the Victims they Rescued from the Persecuting Floods did not immediately change into model citizens and then blame them for being the Problem. Just think for a moment about the reasonableness of that expectation. How can we expect a person to understand the notion of private property and work for pay if they never, ever worked or owned anything before in their entire lives?

Over 30% of all New Orleans residents were below the poverty line and, as a result, were on welfare. They rented their apartments. Have you ever rented? If so, were you as concerned about the property as the owner? Of course not.

Most people in poverty have children without benefit of marriage and most are uneducated. These are the two single greatest causes of poverty in America.

Why would any person who has spent a lifetime on government assistance thank us for Rescuing them from a flood? They are chronically Rescued. They have an attitude of entitlement, and the government has fostered it and rewarded it.

Ministry in Russia is difficult because the government ran everything and planned everything and told everyone what to do. The citizens made no decisions and had no influence on the food available, cars that were made or the way leaders acted. Now, many want the old system back because making decisions is tough. Responsibility is difficult. Dependency is demeaning and disrespectful but it is easy to do.

Do the people who lived on welfare in New Orleans see a need for Change? Are they Convicted that they have a Problem? (Stage II. Conviction) I cannot imagine that they think they need to change. It is almost impossible for them to jump all the way to Stage IV. Change and decide to stop welfare and get a job, buy a house and take care of their property.

My hope and prayer is simple: "Lord, help the people dependent upon welfare and government assistance see the light that future generations will benefit from marriage, an education, hard work and a vigorous investment in private property ownership."

I have a second prayer: "Lord, may this nation see the light and turn from the Socialist agenda that killed Russia."

I also have a plea for my friends: "Stop expecting Rescues to Change behavior developed over generations."