PEACEFUL PLANNING
The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance, but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.
Proverbs 21:5 (ESV)
Don’t you love the wisdom of Proverbs? This verse highlights the contrast between two types of planning—diligent versus hasty. Of course, we’d all prefer abundance over struggle, so let’s look deeper at what diligence and planning mean.
Diligence is about perseverance, staying faithful, and consistently trying to accomplish a goal. It requires hard work, attentiveness and a thorough approach.
Planning is creating a clear method, system or strategy to reach a specific goal. Whether mapped out in our minds, written in a journal, or organized in a spreadsheet. Planning sets the foundation for success.
What if we thought of our lives as businesses for a moment? A company doesn’t map out its future in just one quick meeting—it takes people, ideas and time. That’s why businesses often hold strategic planning retreats, stepping away from the office to gain fresh perspectives and strengthen relationships. But even those retreats require planning—booking travel, reserving hotels and organizing meals.
The truth is that almost everything in life requires some planning. Even in the morning, we take a moment to figure out how we'll spend the day—what to wear, what to eat, and what tasks to tackle. Planning is everywhere, in the big and the small.
If planning is required in many aspects of today and our future, how we plan will bring abundance or poverty. Rushed planning—when we’re careless, impulsive or reckless—can lead to lack and struggle. When we hurry, we often skip seeking the Lord’s guidance and wisdom. But when we plan with diligence—being thoughtful, persistent and purposeful—we invite abundance and clarity, asking God how to move forward best.
APPLICATION: What are you planning right now? Have you taken it to the Father? What if you had a strategic planning retreat with Him? Take a moment to jot down your current plans, then step away, pray and ask for His guidance. When you return, write down any new insights or directions you’ve gained.
PRAYER: Dear Father, help me slow down and look to You for all my life’s plans. Help me keep You in the center of my life. Amen.
“… Our Father in heaven…” Matthew 6:9b (NLT)
- What do You want to say to me today as my Father?
“… may Your name be kept holy.” Matthew 6:9c (NLT)
- What do You want to reveal to me about Your power today?
“May Your Kingdom come soon.” Matthew 6:10a (NLT)
- Help me make Your priorities my priorities today.
“Give us today the food we need,” Matthew 6:11 (NLT)
- Is there anything specific You want me to do with my time or the people I’m around today?
“and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us” Matthew 6:12 (NLT)
- Reveal to me anyone I need to forgive or ask for forgiveness.
“And don’t let us yield to temptation…” Matthew 6:13a (NLT)
- Is there anywhere I’m vulnerable to temptation?