FF: The power of prayer can prioritize commitment

Today was one of those days. I checked my email this morning and discovered that a website had been down for nearly two hours. It’s been like this all day. It took me hours to finish the things that were originally at the top of my to-do list for today. I felt like I was behind for most of the day, and I don’t like that feeling. Life is like this sometimes, but I’m realizing more and more that I often prepare for days like today.

I can’t predict things like website downtime. Part of what I have to do today is work-related and is something that someone else has asked me to do; I have no control over those things. Other things have self-selected due dates or deadlines; I have control over them when I choose them, but many things can’t be changed today. Putting more thought before setting deadlines allows me to schedule things better, but my control is still limited; especially when I can’t predict that something will go wrong or someone adds some work-related tasks on short notice.

What I can control is what I volunteer to do, and I did a few of those today. Once I say yes, unless there are extreme circumstances, I feel obligated to do what I say. I have a bad habit of saying yes when there is a need and I can meet it. I especially don’t do this when I don’t see anyone else who might be able to meet that need.

We were talking to a couple yesterday and she said she has learned to respond to any request for her help (and her time) with “Let me pray and get back to you.” She said when she does this she tends to say no to most things. I think I’ll give it a try, or at least try to think about it. I should do what God wants me to do, not everything I can do.

A few years ago, I used to say:Just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should“I need to be better off. Praying before saying yes is a great way to make that happen.

If you feel like it’s too much to do and too tiring, maybe you could join me?

[This post first appeared Aug 26, 2012.]

Image credit: © Paul H Byerly Created using stockdreams.ai

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FF: The Power of Prayer for Prioritizing Commitment appeared first on The Generous Husband.