Power. DeYoung’s associated statement for power is, “I need to stay busy because I need to stay in control.” The lie we tell ourselves is that in order to fully control something and get the desired results, we have to control every part of it. And to do that, well, we keep everything under our watchful (busy) eye. This leads to becoming an indispensable person (I’ve written on the dangers of that before).
Position. When I read DeYoung’s associated statement I knew he had named one of my Killer P’s. It’s“I do too much because that’s what people like me are supposed to do.” Can you hear yourself saying that?
This is where our intentions can sound good, even God-glorifying. But ultimately it’s a prideful way of recognizing our own contribution to something. You may be the responsible one in your workplace. You’re the person who goes the extra mile. You’re the execution ninja! But each of those good qualities have a shadow side, and these good qualities become manifestations of pride quickly. And once you start these prideful expressions, it further perpetuates the feeling of you needing to keep up the standard of busyness.
Busyness can become an identity. It may be how you’re known. We hear people say to us, “Oh, you’re always so busy,” and we feel both a sense of pride and sense of wanting anything other than busyness for ourselves.
Be brave enough to name the “killer P’s” you’re prone to. Name it (them) and then ask for help with your pride. Ask God to speak to you his version of what busy looks like. Ask a friend to call you out when they see you manifesting the killer P’s.
Busyness doesn’t have to be wrong or sinful, but if pride is the source of that busyness, well…
This article originally appeared here, and is used by permission.
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