Do not boast about tomorrow, For you do not know what a day may bring forth.
Proverbs 27:1Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit”; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.”
James 4:14-15
Do you like to plan, including backup plans and contingencies? I know I do. While planning is not a bad thing, we need to make sure our plans align with God’s plan. We can do research, ask experts, and create a detailed plan, but only God knows what is coming, so we need to ask for His guidance if we want to succeed in any endeavor. Right now I am trying to make goals and plans for the next 12-week year for my writing. I have had a hard time putting down specifics for the last two weeks. Stuff happened. The weather and sinuses were crazy all last week, making it difficult to concentrate. I realized that I hadn’t really taken my goals to God to ask for his input as much as I just took it to Him to bless. Now I am ready to make the best plan I can while leaving room for the surprises God and life might throw my way.
Pray
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6
I have had a bunch of unexpected bills that do not fit into my budget. I have been scrambling to find solutions, but I have come to the conclusion that only God can work this all out because I am not in control of what’s happening. I am only in control of how I respond. So, my first response is to stop and pray for guidance on how to plan and trust He will handle the things I cannot.
Prepare
Be diligent to know the state of your flocks, And attend to your herds; For riches are not forever, Nor does a crown endure to all generations.
Proverbs 27:23-24
We need to be good stewards of what God has given us. So, my next response is to stop and take stock of what I do have and how best to use it today. I applied for a freelance contract on-line yesterday and accepted a short article for this week. I sent out an email inquiry to a company I’ve worked with before to see if they have any assignments. I’m leaving the results in God’s hands to send me only the jobs He wants me to do that are in my best interests.
I am also looking at what things I have available compared to what I need. I have a surprise gift card from doing a survey that I am trying to decide how best to use. I’m looking in the kitchen cabinets to see how I can use what I already have for my menu this week, while culling my shopping list of things that are not necessary to avoid impulse buying.
Release
The horse is prepared for the day of battle, But deliverance is of the Lord.
Proverbs 21:31
Finally, I am trying to reset my daily quiet time. The repeated sinus headaches last week made it hard for me to focus or read the Bible or devotions in the morning. It resulted in making me more vulnerable to spiritual attack. So, I am getting back on a schedule even if I have to shorten it some mornings or listen to podcasts instead of reading. The Word of God is our weapon, and we need it to be prepared for daily battles.
Beyond that, I have to remember that the battle is God’s to win, not mine. Deliverance comes from God. My job is to put on the armor of God, be obedient, and stand still to see the salvation of God.
As I attempt once more to plan the next season, I am going to try and follow my own advice:
- Pray for God’s guidance
- Prepare what I can
- Release the rest to God’s hands
Check out the video below for a reminder for who wins the battle:
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