Stop Waiting for Things to Settle Down
By Rick Warren

“If you wait for perfect conditions, you will never get anything done” (Ecclesiastes 11:4 TLB).

The most important word you can learn in time management is “no.” Every time you say no, you save yourself a whole lot of time.

But here’s a phrase that’s also good time management: “Do it now.” When something is not worthy of your time, you say no. When it is worthy of your time, you “do it now.” Don’t keep putting it off!

To make the most of your time, don’t wait to begin.

There’s never going to be an ideal time for you to get control of your calendar. You may think, “I’m going to do this one of these days.” Or maybe you’re waiting to “get around to it.” One of our favorite phrases is, “When things settle down.” Yeah, right! Let me let you in on a little secret: “Things” are never going to settle down. Life is only speeding up, not getting slower. The older you get, the faster it goes. Second grade took forever! But now I’m wondering, Where did 2018 go?

If you’re thinking that you’re going to reach an ideal situation in life that will allow you to get control of your time and do the things that are really important, it’s not going to happen. Maybe you’re thinking, “When things settle down, then I’ll start having a daily quiet time with God. I’ll read my Bible when I have a lot of time to spare.” No! Do it now. Make the time.

If you’re thinking, “When things settle down, I’m going to spend more time with the kids,” here’s the thing: It’s not going to settle down until the kids leave the house. Do it now. You have to learn to spend time with your kids when things are not settled down.

Maybe you’re thinking, “When things settle down, my spouse and I will get romantic again.” But if you have to wait until you go to a tropical island on vacation to get romantic, it isn’t going to happen very often. Make your marriage a priority by making time for your spouse. Do it now.

Life must be lived under imperfect conditions. If the only time you enjoy your spouse is when things are perfect, you’re not ever going to enjoy them. If the only time you enjoy your kids is when things are perfect, you’re never going to enjoy them. If the only time you pray is when you feel like it, the Devil’s going to make sure you never feel like it.

You have to live your life and enjoy what God’s given you today in spite of imperfect conditions or circumstances. Stop looking for things to settle down. Don’t wait on “one of these days.” Do it now.

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Daily Hope 2018 Prayer Journal

Learn how to pray prayers that expect answers!

Do you sometimes struggle with how to talk and listen to God? The good news is he longs to hear your prayers, whether it’s a bold cry or a whisper. And your words don’t need to be perfect. He delights in you when you come before him—in thanksgiving and petition.

Jesus says in John 15:7 . . .

“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”

So the key to praying with hope and expectation is abiding in Christ—and we want to help you do that with the all-new Daily Hope Prayer Journal. Your faith will be strengthened and you will be blessed as you look back on your written prayers and see how God has faithfully answered them.

It has a soft cork-like cover on the outside, while inside you’ll find . . .

• Bible verses and suggestions to help you pray for specific people and situations
• Practical encouragement for your prayer life from Pastor Rick
• Plenty of space to write out your prayer requests and how God answers them

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This devotional © 2018 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

You can listen to Rick Warren on OnePlace.com.