272. Should Doesn't Always Mean You Should

Just because you think you should do something, does that mean you actually should?

How often does a simple thought like “I should probably get that done” turn into another obligation? Before you know it, something you hadn’t planned to do becomes another expectation you’ve placed on yourself. And with that expectation comes pressure.

In this episode of Encouragement for Real Life, Julie continues The Shoulds We Live By series by exploring why every should doesn’t deserve an automatic yes.

Some shoulds are legitimate responsibilities. Others are simply things we’d like to do, habits we’ve developed, or expectations we’ve created without realizing it. So how do we tell the difference?

Julie shares three questions to help us examine our shoulds:

Is this something I actually need to do?
Why do I think I should?
Is this right for me right now?

Sometimes changing “I should” to “I could” makes a difference. It helps us recognize that something may be an option rather than an obligation.

Should doesn’t always mean you should.

Julie also shares why involving God in these decisions matters. Through Philippians 1:9-10, she reminds us of the importance of seeking God’s wisdom and insight to determine what’s best.

Because sometimes we’re not choosing between something good and something bad. We’re choosing between two good things. And even after deciding something doesn’t need our yes, we may still feel guilty about leaving it undone. But not every unfinished task means we’ve failed.

This week, Julie encourages you to examine your shoulds before automatically adding them to your list. Invite God into the conversation and trust Him to guide you.

Sometimes the answer is yes. Sometimes it’s not now. And sometimes it’s no.

Julie also shares her printable workbook, I Should Probably, designed to help you identify, examine, and decide what to do with the shoulds in your life.