Pause, Pray, Ponder, Proceed

We’ve all experienced times when life throws us a curveball. Have you ever adopted the four P’s—pause, pray, ponder, proceed—in those situations?

A friend shared this practice as a biblically wise method of approaching bumps in the road of life. Like many others, I could use all the help I can get. So here’s how I’m learning to apply the four P’s in times of difficulty:

Pause

When I was a kid, my mother practiced counting to ten whenever she was upset. She counted to forestall saying or doing something she would later regret.

When trouble hits, our instinctive response is often to react emotionally or physically. And those reactions are not always wise. They can arise out of fear or other unchecked emotions. Or from past conditioning, motivated by a reflexive desire to protect ourselves from discomfort or inconvenience. Sometimes we may be reacting in defense of our own plans and priorities.

In his epistle, James wrote, “Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger” (1:19 ESV). This is where the pause comes in. Pausing provides an opportunity to disengage from riled emotions and allow room for listening to the Holy Spirit’s prompts.

Pray

I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve prayed for a difficult situation after exhausting my own effort, only to realize prayer should have been my first choice.

Minister and author Oswald Chambers once said, “Prayer is not a preparation for the battle, it is the battle.”

In the book of James we read, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him” (1:5 ESV).

And in his letter to the Philippian church, the apostle Paul wrote, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:6-7 ESV).

Ponder

Another confession: even when I do pray, I need to resist the urge to jump into action before I process what the Lord has shown me. I’m learning to allow time to listen to what the Lord is showing me in response to my prayer. Is He revealing a blind spot I need to acknowledge? Perhaps He’s reminding me of a Scripture passage or a creative option I had not considered. Or maybe I need to process insight He has given me into the causes of the difficulty. Whichever it is, I need to take time in His presence to process how He is ministering to my mind, will, and emotions. I took the time to speak to my heavenly Father. Now am I taking the time to listen to Him as He speaks to my spirit?

Proceed

Yes, there is a time to act—just not in the order my natural response would dictate. After pausing, praying, and pondering, I’m better equipped to proceed under the direction of the Holy Spirit’s leading. Not impulsively, which usually lands me in more hot water. But rather, in a measured way according to my Father’s leading.

The four P’s are not just a practical help. They’re God’s prescription for handling difficulties!

Practice the four P’s the next time you’re faced with a problem.
Then come back to this post and share your experience!