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Accepting the Limits of Your Current Abilities
By Dan Blankenship
© 2008 Dan Blankenship



I recently sat down to write a column based on Daniel, Chapter 9. For quite some time now, I have wanted to put together a column on prayer, using that amazing chapter as the foundation for my commentary. However, the more I began to study Daniel’s prayer and fasting story, the more I realized I knew very little about the circumstances leading up to his prayer and the prophecies behind the events that were unfolding during this time in history. I began to search the Internet for commentaries and lessons to help me have a better understanding of Daniel’s mindset at the time of his prayer. I listened to two hours of commentary from three different experts (all the while realizing that I had other work I needed to get done on this particular day), only to discover that the three ministers were not very good at speaking in laymen’s terms. I eventually came to the conclusion that a column on accepting the limits of my current abilities would be a better column to write instead.

It has been my experience that many people have a hard time admitting when they’ve “bitten off more than they can chew” or “waded into water a little over their heads.” The column I wanted to write will have to wait. I need more research time, more note-taking time, and more rewriting time. Had I tried to force out the column, I would have compiled a piece of literature that I probably wouldn’t have been happy with, and my readers would have been shortchanged on their time-invested reading. Sensitive and complicated subjects need serious and exhaustive research.

Knowing the limits of our capabilities actually makes us more well-rounded individuals. When we know when to delegate out work we our not capable of performing, we are making good decisions. When we realize more time, research, development, and planning is needed before we move forward with a task, we are practicing sound judgment. Proverbs 26:3 (NIV) says, “Do you see a wise man in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.” Labeling ourselves wise does not sit well with our God. True wisdom does not require self adoration or promotion. Our actions must speak louder than our words. Our personal physical, mental, and spiritual limits are nothing to be ashamed of. However, we should find our lack of perseverance in seeking out knowledge, physical exercise, and spiritual strengths a serious character flaw.

I look forward to the day when I can complete my article on the amazing prayer of Daniel. I’m sure it will come; maybe in a week, maybe in a decade. Tough challenges are nothing to avoid, but neither is preparation. Warriors, throughout history, trained for battles. Lawyers spend countless hours establishing their arguments. Astronauts practice procedures until they become routine. Performance rarely excels without repetitious study and practice, and the wise among us are usually the first to enjoy the company of those even wiser.

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