"If you love me, you will keep my commandments." — John 14:15
My pastor shared a phrase the other day that immediately stuck with me:
"Stop shoulding on yourself."
It made me laugh at first, but the more I thought about it, the more profound it became.
How often do we say:
"I should pray more."
"I should spend time in God's Word."
"I should call that person."
"I should forgive them."
"I should stop drinking."
"I should get to a meeting."
"I should apologize."
"I should surrender this to God."
The truth is, most of us already know what we should be doing. The struggle is rarely a lack of knowledge. More often, it's a lack of willingness, courage, or trust.
We convince ourselves we'll start tomorrow. When life settles down. After this weekend. When we feel more spiritual. When we finally have enough strength.
But tomorrow has become the hiding place of countless good intentions.
The enemy doesn't always have to convince us to do something evil. Sometimes all he has to do is convince us to delay doing what is good.
The Bible says, "Whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin." (James 4:17)
That verse isn't meant to crush us with guilt. It's meant to awaken us. God isn't waiting for perfect people; He's waiting for willing people.
Real life is full of "shoulds."
The husband who knows he should tell his wife he loves her but assumes she already knows.
The wife who knows she should forgive but keeps replaying the offense.
The addict who knows he should make the phone call before picking up the drink.
The newcomer who knows she should walk into an AA meeting but sits in the parking lot convincing herself she's not ready.
The father who should spend time with his children but gives another evening to work.
The friend who should make amends but waits for "the right time."
The believer who should pray but scrolls through another hour on a phone.
None of these people are ignorant of the next right thing. They're simply standing at the intersection between knowing and doing.
In my own prayer and meditation, I ask God to forgive me not only for the sins I've committed, but also for my reluctance to do the right thing.
That prayer has become deeply personal. There are moments when I know exactly what God is asking of me, yet I hesitate. Sometimes it's fear. Sometimes it's pride. Sometimes it's simply comfort. Whatever the reason, I have come to realize that delayed obedience is still disobedience. I don't just need forgiveness for what I've done—I need forgiveness for the good I've failed to do, and the willingness to act when God nudges my heart.
Following Christ has never been about collecting more information. It's about obedience. Every act of obedience, no matter how small, becomes another step away from our old life and another step toward the life God is calling us into.
Perhaps today God isn't asking you to solve your entire future. Maybe He's simply asking for your next "yes."
Stop shoulding on yourself.
Pray.
Make the call.
Walk into the meeting.
Open your Bible.
Forgive.
Serve.
Confess.
Take the next faithful step.
Commit your will and your life to the care of God, and trust Him with what comes after. Obedience rarely feels convenient, but it is always the pathway to freedom. The life you've been hoping for often begins on the other side of the thing you've been avoiding.
Reflection
What have you been saying you "should" do that God has already made clear?
What would happen if today became the day you stopped saying "I should" and simply said, "Yes, Lord."
Prayer
Father, forgive me not only for the wrong I've done, but also for the right I've neglected to do. Forgive my reluctance, my procrastination, my fear, and my desire for comfort over obedience. Replace my excuses with willingness and my hesitation with faith. Help me to recognize Your voice and give me the courage to respond with a wholehearted "Yes, Lord." May my life be marked not by what I know I should do, but by faithful obedience to Your will. Amen.
