As I looked at the non-excellent looking part of my property, I was tempted to be discouraged, but I said to myself, “No, it is not time to work on that. I am prioritizing what I believe is more important. There will come a time to improve this, but now is not the right time. I choose again to celebrate progress, not perfection.”

My wife, Wendy, and I have a property that we bought as a foreclosure ten years ago. It needed a LOT of work in the house and the yard. Through the years, we have prioritized improving the inside of the house, as well as some of the outside. Just like our lives, it’s an ongoing process of improvement and change. 

In my book, Fully Convinced: The Art of Decision Making, I write about what I perceive to be an epidemic of guilt, shame, doubt, insecurity, frustration, and embarrassment in many believers because they have non-excellent areas of their lives. If we are not careful, we will succumb to the temptation to fixate on what is wrong with us, rather than attaching faith to who we are and what we believe we are prioritized in a particular season. 

Matthew 4:4 says, “Man shall not live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” The quality of our lives depends on our identifying what we believe God has told us (in promises, in our identity (who we are), and what He has told us to do (and not do). I can put up with a lot of “junk” and outward non-success if I have a word from the Lord, but if I don’t have clarity on what to believe and do, the only way I can thrive is if things are going well in my life.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-4 says, “There is a time for everything,and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance…” and it goes on. This concept of understanding our seasons and our priorities is crucial. We can’t give attention to every area of our lives all at one time. 

In Chronicles 12, there is a passage that talks about the Sons of Issachar. Scripture tells us they “understood the times and knew what Israel should do” (vs 32). They weren’t just locked into the same habits, patterns, and priorities, but they had discernment of what was important (and not important) in a certain season. I believe a “Sons of Issachar '' anointing is being released right now over you that will cause you to clarify your priorities and what you’re to do or not do. 

Here are three truths to know as you seek to upgrade your beliefs and priorities:

1. God esteems those who understand what is to be prioritized - Just as with the Sons of Issachar, He will esteem you as you press into understanding the time and season you are in. 
2. Part of wisdom is discerning the steps in building our lives, families, and ministries, and knowing what is important now. James 1:5 says, “ If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” 
3. Sometimes, all we have to do is stand. Ephesians 6:13 says, “Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” The “evil day” represents those times where we need to react and respond to seemingly life-consuming challenges. In some seasons, we will need to primarily deal with what is right before us. There might be disciplines and investments we can’t choose in those times. This can’t become a lifestyle, but there are times where we will need to be okay with not being as excellent in our habits and beliefs. 

Before closing let me say what I am not saying in this message:

1. I am not saying that we should not deal with procrastination in our lives, but that is for another blog to emphasize. 
2. I am not saying if we are abusing people or making reckless, self-destructive choices, that we should allow that to continue while we focus on other things. 

It is not time for THAT yet. What is the “that” for you? What non-excellent part of your life, family, possessions, ministry, relationships, habits, beliefs, or emotions can you look at and say, “I can still be joyful because I am focusing on what I believe I am to be focusing on in this season. God will lead me in the perfect timing and strategy to improve that."