Why do we make things harder than they have to be? How does this happen? Most of the time it’s because we examine things and make our best guesses without asking God what he sees that we do not.

This is what happened in Joshua 9:14:

So the Israelites examined their food, but they did not consult the Lord.

Our habits build us up or tear us down. Here’s a good habit for building a better life: Go to God in prayer about every decision. It is unnecessary to employ smoke and incense for these kinds of prayers. Sometimes simple prayers work better than those full of King James English. Here are some of my favorites:

* Help!
* Help me, please.
* Help me, please, O Lord.
* Please give me wisdom equal to this moment. 
* Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul. (Psalm 143:8 NIV)

Here’s an old saying worth repeating and committing to memory: Use all the brains you’ve got and all you can borrow. Most importantly, ask for God’s guidance and trust that he will give it. 

He who never leaves you nor forsakes you is more interested in speaking to your heart than you are in listening. Indeed, this is why life is often harder than it has to be.

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I will seek God in prayer as a life-giving habit.

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Our Father, teach us to pray. Teach us to pray about every big thing, every little thing, and everything where we simply do not know what to do in the moment. Thank you for hearing and answering our prayers.