Answering the following questions will jumpstart the next chapter of your life.
Is This In My Control?
You can save yourself a lot of agitation by sorting out what is in your control and what isn’t.
Your actions, words, and thoughts are in your control. Other people, the weather, and some life events are not.
Whatever you’re facing, ask, “Is this something I can control?” The answer will tell you if it’s worthy of your concern.
You’ll be happier and more productive if you focus attention on the things you can control and avoid getting bent out of shape by the things you can’t. Freedom comes from letting go of the things that are beyond your control.
“God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control” (2 Tim 1:7 ESV).
Is This Worth Worrying About?
Worry saps stamina, triggers health problems, torpedoes optimism, impairs judgment, and smothers gratitude.
Worry doubles your trouble: if what you’re worrying about doesn’t happen, you’ve lived through it once needlessly; if it does happen, you’ll have lived through it twice.
Worrying will change neither your past nor your future but will poison your present.
“Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?” (Mt 6:27 NLT).
“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything . . . If you do this you will experience God’s peace . . . His peace will keep your thoughts and your hearts quiet and at rest as you trust in Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:6–7).
Is This the Most Important Thing to Me?
What’s the most important thing to you? If you don’t know the answer to this question, you have no way of knowing if you’re putting first things first.
What is most important to someone else doesn’t necessarily fit you, so avoid living by their priorities.
When you know what the most important thing is to you, you are positioned to say “No!” to less important things and opt out of races that don’t move you toward your goal.
Nail down what the most important thing is to you; own it. The biggest danger is self-deception—telling yourself something is the most important thing when deep down it isn’t. Get honest.
The most important thing in life is to know what the most important thing in life is.
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind” (Rom 12:2).
Is This Who I Want to Be?
Blunt fact: you are what you say and do.
Blunt truth: you’re not good if your words and actions are bad.
Measure your stature by asking if what you’re saying and doing exhibit the kind of person you want to be. Do you judge? Gossip? Spew negative thoughts? Is this the person you want to be?
Stop yourself mid-stride when you’re about to say something critical or do something hurtful and ask if this the person you want to be?
“Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned, forgive, and you will be forgiven” (Lk 6:37).
“Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable . . . think about these things” (Phil 4:8–9).