Deadlines Create Stress, Panic, and Exhaustion

Deadlines creep up and make us stress out. Even when we give everything to God, we still feel immobilized with the panic or fatigue associated with a looming deadline. But what do we do? In the midst of a deadline, any prayer would only be a terse, “Help me!” without any real communication with the one who knows all.

How to give your deadline to God when you’re in a hurry.

Follow these steps and resolve to spend at least twenty minutes on the steps below. Allow five minutes for each of the main steps below. If you can, try to spend an hour reviewing, relaxing, and praying.

Review
1. What’s left to do?
2. Am I the best person to do it?
3. How much longer will it take?
4. How does that compare to the deadline?
5. Is it a hard deadline?
6. Can I get help?
Stop
1. How am I doing? Am I:
  1. Hungry?
  2. Tired?
  3. Worn out?
2. Have I prayed?
3. Have I listened?
4. What verses apply to my situation?
5. What promises have I received about this?
Pray
1. Pray out loud the promises received about this.
2. Speak to God out loud as you apply the verses which apply to the situation.
3. Thank God for his promises and his provision.
4. Ask God for the wisdom and knowledge needed for your situation.
5. Write down the promises, verse, thoughts that come to you.
  1. Write down anything that is nagging at you, some thought to try this or that.
  2. A way a doing it faster, more thoroughly, or someone who comes to mind as a resource.
6. Spend at least 5 minutes listening and waiting on God to speak further.
Take a deep breath
1. Drink some water.
2. Go for a walk.
3. Review your notes.
  1. Revise anything according to what you’ve learned.

What promises has God given us for deadlines? Here are two:

Proverbs 18:15 Wise men and women are always learning, always listening for fresh insights.

Psalm 119: 79-100 Oh, how I love your instructions! I think about them all day long. Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are my constant guide. Yes, I have more insight than my teachers, for I am always thinking of your laws. I am even wiser than my elders, for I have kept your commandments.

For more promises, check out Remembrance Book, a short booklet with thirty of my favorite verses.

Take time out from deadlines to make sure you are working on God’s timetable and with your best effort.