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Do Not ‘Should’ on Yourself

January 9, 2014

Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13-14, NASB)

The Christian author, Brennan Manning, tells a wonderful story about Sister Mary Margaret O’Shaughnessy, a Catholic nun from New Orleans who reminded herself with a large plaque on her desk that read: “Today, I will not should on myself.”

A golf and life analogy is so appropriate here. How many times do we beat ourselves up and worry about the past shot or past mistakes instead of focusing on the next shot or opportunity?

Our Sister in New Orleans has learned a valuable life lesson. Grumbling and complaining has its root in a lack of trust. A lack of trust comes from trying to be self-sufficient and depending on our power and self-achievements instead of the promises and assurances of God. When we fall short because of present circumstances or worry about what may happen in the future, we show our lack of trust in our Father who has promised to sustain us and give us what we need. Worry creates wasted energy that could be put to better use.

Mainly, we should on ourselves by worrying about past choices that have had poor consequences. We get all the information we need, pray about the next step, weigh all the details and then make a choice. When that choice turns out to be the wrong choice (or so we think at the time), it is then that we say, “I should have done ___________.”

My mentor many years back was a man I respected so much that I still remember much of his instruction today. He had a great cure for worry. When something happened that would cause him to excessively worry, he would write it down in a spiral notebook for future consideration. Every Thursday afternoon from 3-4 pm, he would pull out that notebook and check his list of worry items. He said that it was amazing to see how many issues had cleared up over time, so he could simply mark them off his list. He then looked at the balance of this list and realized how many of those items were really out of his control. He would then get on with his day, knowing that the next Thursday afternoon might eliminate a few more issues.

The rearview mirror is always clearer than the windshield. If you look back at all the ways God has provided for you and believe that his character does not change, you’ll be encouraged to trust him for all you need and not worry about the results. We are not in control; he always has been.

We should study, pray, ask, then make a choice with the best information we have at the time and not worry about the outcome. Fear knocked at the door, faith answered, and no one was there. Who is tapping on your soul this morning? Is it that pest called “should”? Ignore it, and let God love you and provide his answer in his way and his time.

Randy Wolff
January 9, 2014
Copyright 2014 Links Players International
The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.

Links Players
Pub Date: January 9, 2014

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