Isn’t it crazy how drastically the way we speak about things can actually affect our realities, our whole lives? Our mind’s perspective majorly shapes the way we experience a moment, a day, a lifetime. Words matter. The ways we talk to ourselves, to others, to the Lord – they all have the potential to be positive and encouraging, or to be negative and complaining. I think that’s why prayer is so important. Yes, God already knows what is truly going on in your life and in your heart – even better than you do – but prayer is a means of completely conscious communication to the Lord. A way for us to refocus ourselves. And I strongly believe that the act of praying itself (not just the way God may choose to answer) does more for the prayerful individual than for the Lord. The Lord does not need our prayers, but how greatly are our thoughts aligned when we willingly expose them and become more deeply aware of our motives, concerns, hopes, and dependence on Him. We always seem to get the better part of the deal when it comes to our loving Father.
The idea of “should to shall” started percolating for me a couple months ago so now I am deciding to share it in my blog. Consider all the many things you tell yourself which contain the word “should.” They may sound much like these: I should exercise more, I should read my Bible every day, I should reach out to that person though I don’t know them very well, I should cut off an unhealthy relationship which is not honoring to God, I should be more generous, I should study for that exam tomorrow, I should learn to hold my temper, I should go to church, I should quit that sinful or unhealthy habit I have, I should spend more time with my loved ones… the list goes on. Perhaps you can easily think of some “shoulds” in your own life.
I think when we tell ourselves something with the word “should” tucked in there, it can easily be used by the enemy to just leave us at that point. That inert point of mere awareness. We are aware of the need, we know what we really ought to do, and maybe even admit it to other folks. But if it stops there, nothing has necessarily changed at all; when, in fact, it is once we become aware that we are then obligated to take action! Consider the parable Jesus shares in Luke 12:35-48. Verses 47-48 are when Jesus tell us that, “The servant who knows the master’s will and does not get ready or does not do what the master wants will be beaten with many blows. But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.” The more knowledge and awareness, the more responsibility to act and put it to use! Honest and complete ignorance is a legitimate excuse whereas either denial or admission mean that you are at least slightly aware of an issue and choosing to push it aside rather than deal with it. And with awareness comes that responsibility to act. Increased awareness means increased accountability. Period. No more excuses can stand. James 4:17 tells us that “If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.” Again, driving it home here, with knowing comes responsibility. So no one can stop short or pride themselves at the mere point of being aware of their flaws, shortcomings, issues and struggles. Rather, those things must be lifted up to the Lord immediately! He can help in ways we may never understand. Pray for the desire to change, to want to change if you are not quite there. Some of those “shoulds” are very hard, if not impossible, for us to enact on our own. But remember when Jesus shared in Matthew 19:26 that “with God all things are possible.” With God, all things are possible. It’s that first part which should particularly hit home for us… it is crucial to discern whether our idea of a “should” which we want to make possible is really aligned with God.
But how do we know if a “should” is truly deserving of becoming a “shall?” I think of lines in movies where mean girls say something like “Someone should just tell her to get lost,” or peer pressure situations where someone might say “You should just go for it” in regard to something not particularly healthy or safe or pleasing to the Lord, or times when we struggle emotionally and tell ourselves things like “I should just run away from my problems” or “I should just give up.” Not all the “shoulds” we think or speak deserve to become “shalls.” But many do. How do we discern? First up, the Word itself. The Lord tells us many things quite clearly through His written Word. If we are still confused, we can pray by specifically asking the Holy Spirit to give us clarity, discernment, direction in regard to our particular point of confusion. Sometimes we fight a “should” because we know that what God actually wants us to do is not what we want at that time. Let me tell you that the main person this battle negatively impacts is oneself. Jeremiah 29:11 reads, “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’” The Lord is the One who knows best what we really should be doing, even if He hasn’t yet brought it to our attention and even if we disagree. Folks, we get it wrong all the time; God never does. Twice in Ezekiel 18, the Lord makes a point to say to the defiant Israelites “Is My way unjust? Is it not your ways that are unjust?” If we don’t see eye to eye with Him, it is always our own vision that is unclear. We can trust in Him completely. Proverbs 3:5 reminds us to “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.”
(I would also like to make an acknowledgement here of how we are reminded in James 4:15 that we ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” I am not advocating neglecting this important recognition as we think and speak about things. We should not become prideful in our “shalls” or overly confident in our own precisely laid plans. I think we can all personally relate to the fact that our plans are merely human and fall through more than we care to admit. However, “the plans of the Lord stand firm forever,” as stated in Psalm 33:11.)
Okay, so you’re pretty sure you have a “should” which the Lord is asking you to make a “shall.” Here’s an easy example which I know He would approve for all of us literate folks: I should read my Bible each day. (Or maybe you prefer an audiobook. But you know you should be exposing yourself to God’s Word in some form or fashion each day.) I’ll just go ahead and confidently encourage you that, yes, you need to make that “should” a “shall,” my friend! What does that mean? It means to literally stop saying the word “should” when you are thinking or talking about it. Start saying “shall!” It will impact the way you respond to this idea. But are you really going to do it? Does it sound weird or untrue when you start to say, instead, that “I shall read my Bible each day.” Why? Exploring this discomfort can enable you to see what is really going on underneath and preventing you from making it happen. Is it an issue with the desire you actually have to read the Bible? Pray for that desire! And read a few verses each day anyway. Yes, anyway. Is it because you think your roommate is going to think you are weird? Pray for the courage to stay true to your values and overcome those insecurities through Christ. (Plus it could be a great witnessing opportunity or way for the Lord to just plant some seeds in others.) Is the underlying issue that you don’t really see the benefit to reading it? Pray for that insight while reading, and to hear stories of how God has used His Word to encourage and uplift others, to reinforce and strengthen those in need, to convict and relate to us as humans. To tell us of a hope and love that is beyond this world, one that will never fade. With the Holy Spirit, reading His Word can never become old news and it can never cease to breathe new life into you. It can never become just another checkmark on your book list. When you start saying “shall” instead of “should” such underlying stumbling blocks will be much more likely to tug at you and alert you to any heart issues you have going on. And with the Lord’s help, you will be able to turn those “shoulds” into “shalls” for His glory, for your own increased joy, and perhaps even as a blessing for others.
Consider the Ten Commandments in Exodus 20 and notice the word which God Himself chose to speak as He gave instructions for His people so that they knew how to live their fullest life. He spoke in “shalls,” not “shoulds.” “Shalls” are more powerful, they are action-oriented, and they hold us accountable in ways “shoulds” never could. I think we can and should and shall learn from His good example.
Psalm 48:18, HLC
sacred strokes 