I looked at my to do list and there was nothing on it but guilt, unrealistic expectations, and oh, did I mention guilt?

Why do I keep adding things to my list that have now business being there?

God has not given you more than you can handle, but there are so many times when things are on our list that have no earthly reason being there.

Why do we do it to ourselves? Here are a few things that creep into my list:

Ego  Why do you think people start to ask of favor of you by buttering you up? “You are the only one who will get it right.” “We need someone with your leadership skills.” We lo262883_Lipp_pin3ve being the go to person for those to-do tasks. It gives us a tiny thrill to know that the teacher appreciation party won’t be the same without our homemade snicker doodles, that the meeting won’t be the same without our input, that your friend’s daughter only feels comfortable with you as a babysitter – no one else.

There is a special feeling that comes from feeling like you are the only one.

But when I do things to feel needed and special, I’m putting my value in other people’s hands, and not in God’s word, where it belongs.

Refusing to Ask for Help There are a few of us who feel that asking for help is a sign of failure – if I can’t do it myself, I have no value.

When I start to feel this way, I think of all the ways that my husband and I help each other. I’m more of a starter – I have the energy and excitement to carry new ideas and get other people on board. Roger is the one who can make a plan, stick to it, and actually get the project completed. We need to ake for help – there is almost no task that we are designed to do alone. God has formed us to need partners – whether it’s you husband, your co-worker, or your best friend.

Hesitancy to Say No When we say yes to someone’s request, we are often saying no to something that we should have on our list.  If your list is filled with other people’s yeses, your life is probably filled with enough “no”s to make you miserable. People pleasing please people – just not you.Praying God's Word for Your Live

Fear Control issues are based in fear. When you can’t let go of the details, when you can’t trust others with what God has called them to, you are letting fear control your list – and your life

The things that are supposed to be on the list? Those are not too much for me – and for God.  God – help me to keep only those things on my list that are on your list for me.

Tell me in the comments below what is on your list that isn’t supposed to be. One of the commenters will receive In the comments below, tell me one area where you feel God is calling you to step out of your comfort zone – or has in the past. I would love to give one reader a copy of my new book Praying God’s Word for Your Life

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