Saving Yourself Headache and Heartache
We talk
about saving time as if we can pack it into a box for a rainy day. But no
matter what we do, the minutes and hours tick by, unaltered by our efforts to
change their pace. So, instead, we try to change ourselves. We batch tasks,
schedule every moment, and caffeinate ourselves in an attempt to get to work a
bit earlier and keep working a few minutes later. Still, time slips through our
fingers, and only God knows the day and the hour when the race against time
will end for us.
Although we
can’t truly save time, we can stop wasting it on unnecessary activities,
concerns, and mistakes. In this sense, we can rescue the time allotted to us
from destructive habits and spiritual ignorance. How do we do this? Willpower,
scheduling tricks, and motivational tips can only take us so far. What we need
most is prayer.
In his
message, “Prayer: Our
Time-Saver,” Dr. Stanley gives 14 benefits to talking
with God. He says prayer helps us be wise stewards of time because it:
1. Provides timely direction.
2. Prevents wrong decisions.
3. Eliminates worry and anxiety.
4. Produces peacefulness.
5. Invites God into our activity.
6. Produces confidence.
7. Eliminates fretting.
8. Sharpens discernment.
9. Gives us energy.
10. Prevents distractions.
11. Reminds us to act now.
12. Protects us from discouragement.
13. Opens doors of opportunity.
14. Helps us discern between busyness and
fruitfulness.
Which of
these benefits do you need the most? Spend less time wrestling with the hours
in your day and make it your goal to pray first. You’ll see your priorities
fall into place, feel your spirit lighten from under the burden of diminishing
time, and experience a peace that comes with spending every moment in the
presence and under the guidance of your heavenly Father.
