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John Piper | – God’s Sovereign Plans Behind Your Most Unproductive Days // Ask Pastor John
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How is God at work in our most unproductive days, when it feels as though we’ve accomplished nothing and fallen far short of our own plans and expectations?
Those days are frustrating to us, but they are not outside of God’s sovereign power. It leads to today’s question on what efficiency looks like in the first place, a very good question from a listener named Melinda.
“Hello, Pastor John, thank you for this podcast! Back in episode 1115, about caring for those with dementia, you closed your remarks with this phrase: ‘God’s priorities for efficiency in this life are not ours.’ Can you please elaborate on this? I struggle mightily with time management skills. I’m a homeschooling mom trying to balance kids’ needs and activities, ministry, household duties . . . and sleep. I feel overwhelmed with the need to be efficient every minute even though this does not come naturally to me. What should efficiency look like in the busy Christian life?”
Episode 1170: [support us]
Related Resources:
“The Dignity of Those with Dementia” [support us]
“Ten Principles for Personal Productivity” [support us]
“How to Fight Laziness” [support us]
“Four Key Ways We Enjoy God in Our Work” [support us]
“I Don’t Like My Job — Now What?” [support us]
APJ Playlist: [support us];tzffQ8&list=PLFF7F6AE365DA3564
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Pray for me. Please
I am a retiree but would really like to work as I really feel useless and wasted.Each day I would ask God for me to do something.In a christian perspective ,what would the Lord's answer be?
Thank you.
I listened very carefully, felt like it was just for me.
So often I've felt doing wrong when doing right..
How beautiful is God’s ways !?!
Love what was said between 7:00–8:00
Wow, this sure puts things in perspective:)
Last nite I was waiting at the bus…..a lady approached and was really impatient for her bus……I asked her why she was so impatient; told her maybe it was God's divine delay. She thought about this and just calmed down…..
That's so American…they may be rich and successful, and the worst insult to an American is to be called "loser". So they take Prozac, enroll in every church activity group, take second jobs. It's all about pride.
But where is compassion for weak, sick and tired people? There is a lot of "losers" in the worldly sense in heaven!
A very powerful fruitful answer to my own current situation. Thank you.
Really…I'm not proud that I've wasted my whole life due to depression…what is our father going to do with me…i am useless
Thank you. This brought me to tears. I am a chronic procrastinator. I’ve been in university for over a decade trying to finish the same degree. I have no motivation, I keep failing and going around in circles. I make plans and they never come to fruition. I learned from this that it’s not about how much I can check off my list, but how much I trust God in the moment to do whatever He needs me to do in His time and to get me there in His ways…I already know these truths, but this message was so reassuring, and God spoke to me in a new way. Praise God for this youtube channel. It randomly popped up in my feed.
Fantastic. Thank you. Was wondering about why something in my life is not working out and this really helped
This is so beautiful I’m so happy, Thank you Jesus Christ, for I know that you have not forgotten me but you are preparing me for your will.
Feeling low about not working and being at home everyday. I feel like I live the same day everyday… kids, chores, chauffeur, cook, repeat. Then this video pops up….
Can you answer this question for someone who is single and has no children. I just have me.
Wow! That is a comforting Word.
Amen!
So where does wisdom come into this? If God has plans that we aren’t aware of and we make mistakes that are actually in his will. Don’t you think that’s just confusing??
Thank you!
Dude…I'm awestruck.
This was such a needed word for me.
Thanks to Jesus for this a lot
I was unproductive today-super full of guilt for that. Am super overwhwelmed and exhausted. I need to hear his direction clearly.
Is it just me, or is John Piper starting to show grace toward people in their brokenness?
Christ brings freedom from the chains that we bind ourselves in.
A plan is a good thing, if its goal and means are legitimate, I'd imagine. Beating yourself up from failing to meet it for circumstances beyond your control (how much control do you have over the weather, anyway? Or traffic, or disease?) is a chain.
Quick tip I've learned recently: remember a hymn you like and just sing it in your head, at least. Clears the thoughts considerably, especially if you feel like your mind is being distracted or attacked.
Gets you focused back on what – rather, Who – matters, and again sets you free from how the mind tends to orient itself.
Amen!oh glory to the ways of our sovereign”God”!!!
wow. thank you. subscribed.
as someone who suffers from anxiety, this is the reminder and cure all. Thanks pastor
Outstanding message thank you
I really wish that this platform has an english subtitle it may be hard for someone like me who is not native speaker to comprehend all of these in only listening to it. Especially the peculiar words which are not common. Hopefully this massage can be considered. God bless
Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven ✝️
Thank you for this wonderful video! It truly is enlightening and comforting. Praise God!!!
The truth is Yahweh is a show off. Instead of freeing the Israelites when Pharaoh said they could go the first time, Yahweh hardened Pharaoh's heart. Each time He hardened Pharaoh's heart He sent a plague targeting a specific Egyptian deity's portfolio.
Even though He simply could have destroyed Egypt the way He destroyed Sodom & Gamorrah, & spared the Israelites like He spared Lot!
I dare you to explain why so many people are shackled to suffering despite crying out to Yahweh… why innocent children are psychologically, emotionally, spiritually, financially & physically abused despite crying out for the Lord to intervene & SMITE the abuser just as they begin their abuse of the particular individual crying out for help…
Because as we all know Yahweh looks at the heart & can erase anyone from continued existence on a whim if they are beyond evil. This is because He did so with Sodom, He did so with Gamorrah, He did so with Ananias and Sapphira, and He also did it to everyone who followed Baal Peor.
This is very good !!
Amen God says your ways r not my ways my thoughts r not your thoughts
All thanks be to Jesus for this, wonderful description of God's Providence, Amen !
I have been trying to start a business for a few years now. Don’t know where to start. But I put it all in Gods hand. Maybe God is holding out for for rainy days. But God.
Praise the Lord for His Word!!!
At the 5:00 minute mark… Frustrating human efficiency is one of God's PRIMARY means of sanctifying grace!
This never gets old!!
I love it. So often our eyes are only on our immediate circumstance and we don't see or even look for God's plan in our day to day lives.
Thank you!
I love this! My sweating question is …how can we reconcile “human efficiency” as seen in the corporate world at the same time glorifying the Lord?
I love having a plan and then seeing God's plan and then just throwing mine away. It always turns out better this way!
Its been 1 year and im not being productive or serving & helping the kingdom. Im put in "a corner" with my back on the wall & all doors closed for the mom. I feel unproductive & i am. But still i feel there must be a reson for sure God knows.
P.s: havent watched the video yet, only the title made me want to immediately writte lol, now jumping into the video