There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. Proverbs 14:12, TLV

Do You Have “Purse Syndrome?”

“It seemed like a good idea at the time!”

Have you ever thought or said that when a decision or idea went awry? I sure have. And, I must admit that I’m someone who is fearful of making mistakes. I think I do everything to avoid them, yet it still happens. Why?

Recently, I’ve noticed I have a pattern to these mistakes. I call it the Purse Syndrome. Any men out there? Stick with me, this will make sense, eventually.

I like buying purses. As you can imagine, I have more than I need. And yet, I buy more. Not all the time, but enough times it’s becoming a bit of a problem.

How It Begins

When I see a purse I like, I look at it closely. Inside. Outside. Are there pockets so I have easy access to my cell? Can I put all the stuff I carry in there? Like my Bible? Is it easy to carry? Does the color match more than one outfit? Is it on sale? If all these questions are answered in the affirmative, then I justify that the purse fits my “needs.” And that’s when the Purse Syndrome begins.

Oh, it doesn’t end there. Once I determine the bag meets my needs, then I continue with itemizing other benefits. How does it feel in my hands? How does it look when I carry it? Is it a designer label—not to be snobby, because they actually gain value over the years, not that I’d sell it. I can imagine it with different outfits.

Then, I’ll look at the price again. If it’s on sale, even a measly five or ten percent, then a sense of urgency develops.

If I succumb and the purse comes home with me, in most cases I will use it a few times. Then, I “miss” my old reliable purse and go back to it.

Hears What I Discovered

Here’s what I discovered: I hold things I want too tightly.

If I hold it too tightly emotionally, I can’t hear reason or logic. Or worse, I can’t hear my husband when he questions my decision. In fact, I get a little miffed.

So, How Does That Relate to General Real World Stuff?

So, how does this relate to more serious decisions? Those that can be life-changing? Believe it or not, the same syndrome can affect our decision-making process.

When we have a decision before us, and we’re having difficulty hearing from the Lord, it could be we are holding too tightly to one particular option.  If we begin itemizing all the pros to one option — even begin “seeing” it come to reality, we may be caught in the Purse Syndrome.

Letting Go

Discussing pros and cons are valuable, but when we’re hedging our pros and not seeing the full scope of cons, then we’re probably holding too tight to an option that we want.

Regardless of whether it’s the right decision or not, if we can’t let go so that we know for certain, we’ll have problems further down the road.

If we can let go of our desire and our fleshly rationale, then it’s easier for our Heavenly Father’s still small voice to be heard.

What we hear from Him will line up with Scripture — which is another way to determine if it really is the Lord. Having stepped outside the Purse Syndrome, we can move forward in accordance with His will — not our own. And that’s a good thing.

Think More About It

Have you ever struggled with the Purse Syndrome? How did you overcome it?

Until tomorrow, may we let go so we can hear our Heavenly Father’s voice, my friends.

“You saw—for You see trouble and grief, to take it in Your hand. The victim puts his trust in You— You are the helper of the orphan.” Psalm 10:14, TLV

Sometimes it may feel like our Heavenly Father has turned a blind eye to the trouble and grief around us. We want it to look a certain way, and it’s difficult to let that go. That’s why it is important to pray these passages because they hold a higher truth and reality than what is around us. So we pray. God bless you.