Learn to Pause and Pray Before Adding to Your Schedule
By Rick Warren
“It is a trap to dedicate something rashly and only later to consider one’s vows.” (Proverbs 20:25 (NIV)
Sometimes life seems to surge ahead at a breakneck speed—and it can be hard to know how to slow it down. One way you can slow your life down to a more manageable level is this: Learn to pause and pray before making a decision.
Proverbs 20:25 says, “It is a trap to dedicate something rashly and only later to consider one’s vows” (NIV).
What is God saying in this verse? He’s telling you to ponder before promising. Deliberate before deciding. Muse before you choose. Reflect before you select.
In other words, pause and pray before adding to your schedule. Consider your commitments prayerfully and carefully. That will slow your life down.
I’ve had to learn this truth the hard way: You can’t keep adding commitments to your schedule without eliminating other things. Every time you add a new activity to your calendar, you need to take something else off.
One of my mentors, Peter Drucker, used to say to me, “Don’t tell me what new thing you’re doing. Tell me what you’ve stopped doing.” The mark of leadership is knowing what to stop and what to cut out. If you’re burning the candle at both ends, you’re not as bright as you think you are. In fact, you’re going to burn out!
Do you have a hard time cutting out activities from your schedule? Next time you’re faced with an opportunity, take time to do these three things:
1. Ask, “Is it worth it?” Is it worth your time, energy, effort, reputation, or money?
2. Ask, “What am I going to give up?” Consider the cost.
3. Learn to say “no.” It’s the greatest time-saver in life!
God didn’t create you with the capacity to sustain faster and faster speeds with an increasingly packed schedule. So next time you’re faced with a possible addition to your calendar, stop to pause and pray.
PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick
For more Daily Hope with Rick Warren, please visit pastorrick.com!
Be Encouraged Each Day to Live Out God’s Purposes
As thanks for your gift below to help share the gospel with more people around the world through Daily Hope, we’ll send you Pastor Rick’s new book, Daily Hope Devotional: 365 Days of Purpose, Peace, and Promise.
Each devotional starts out with a Bible verse, followed by teaching that explains God’s Word and shows you how to apply it daily so you can face any challenge and live the life you were created to live.
As a special bonus when you give, we’ll also send you What's Driving Your Life?: A 10-Day Turnaround for a Fresh Start. Featuring 10 hand-picked devotions from Pastor Rick’s new book, they’ll guide anyone feeling stressed, worried, or discouraged toward seeking God for a fresh start.
Request your copy below when you give—and take the first step towards a year of real purpose, lasting peace, and unfailing promises.
Thank you for your partnership!
*The USA IRS code permits you to deduct the amount of your financial gift to Daily Hope that exceeds the fair market value of materials you received from Daily Hope.
This devotional © 2018 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
You can listen to Rick Warren on OnePlace.com.
