Summary

The website content emphasizes the importance of having a structured plan in three critical areas of life: personal finances, marital relationships, and spirituality, to avoid failure and potential disaster.

Abstract

The article on the undefined website discusses the pitfalls of "winging it" in life, particularly in three significant domains: financial management, marital relationships, and one's relationship with God. It suggests that without a clear and disciplined approach, individuals risk financial ruin, marital discord, and spiritual uncertainty. The author, referencing Christian teachings and expert advice from figures like Dave Ramsey, underscores the necessity of budgeting, mutual submission in marriage, and spiritual disciplines to navigate these areas successfully. The article warns against complacency and encourages readers to adopt intentional strategies to secure a stable financial future, a healthy marriage, and a deepened relationship with God.

Opinions

The author believes that "winging it" in the theater may be acceptable, but in life's crucial areas, it can lead to severe consequences.
Financial mismanagement is likened to a lack of discipline, with the author citing Dave Ramsey's advice on budgeting and living within one's means as key to financial stability.
In marriage, the author opines that a successful union requires humility, love, and forgiveness, with both partners working to serve each other rather than seeking dominance.
The article conveys that a relationship with God should not be left to chance, emphasizing that salvation is through Christ and that spiritual growth is a continuous process requiring dedication to spiritual disciplines.
The author suggests that while "winging it" in trivial matters like playing Scrabble or mowing the lawn is harmless, being unprepared in finances, marriage, or spirituality can lead to significant problems, including eternal consequences.

CHRISTIANITY

3 Areas in Life That Will Be Disastrous if You Are Winging It

You need to have an accurate plan or you will fail

More times than not, we are just winging it through life.

Consider the person who receives a promotion, realizes that he is way over his head, but keeps going. Little do people know that he feels like a deer in headlights. He just acts like he knows what he is doing, and hopes no one will ever figure it out. Have you ever worked for that guy? Brutal, isn’t it?

Did you know that the phrase “winging it” comes from the theater? When an actor did not know his lines very well (either because he was a stand-in or lazy), he would quickly run through his lines in the “wings.” Then, when he needed a prompt, someone in the “wings” would whisper the following phrase.

In the theater, it is not the end of the world if you wing it. It might be the end of a career if you mess up too badly, but not life-altering.

There are three areas that I would suggest that you never “wing it.” I have included some expert recommendations as well, and none of these are affiliate links.

1. Don’t “wing” your relationship with your finances

At our employment, we all get a paycheck for the time that we have worked. However, we also have bills that we must pay, and if we falter on them, that could spell disaster.

A good rule of thumb is not to spend more than you make. I know children can understand this principle; however, we tend to make some foolish decisions as adults. We ask if we can afford the payments, not if we can afford it.

I am not a financial expert and have probably made some dumber decisions than you because I was winging it. Consider a few quotes from Dave Ramsey (www.ramseysolutions.com), who has been helping people with money for over 30 years:

“Act your wage.” — Dave Ramsey

“A budget is telling your money where to go instead of wondering where it went.” ― Dave Ramsey

“Winning at money is 80 percent behavior and 20 percent head knowledge. What to do isn’t the problem; doing it is. Most of us know what to do, but we just don’t do it. If I can control the guy in the mirror, I can be skinny and rich.” ― Dave Ramsey

Dave is a Christian and he lives by biblical principles found in the Word of God. Here are a couple of direct quotes from the Bible about finances:

“Just as the rich rule the poor, so the borrower is servant to the lender.” (Proverbs 22:7, NLT)

“Owe nothing to anyone — except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law.” (Romans 13:8, NLT)

If you are merely winging your finances, it probably shows.

2. Don’t “wing” your relationship with your spouse

A healthy marriage takes work. No two people can form a life-long bond and not have their share of headaches. In marriage, God takes two people and makes them one, but that takes constant submission to the will of another (both husband and wife).

For a marriage to work well, there must be a lot of humility, a lot of love, and a whole lot of forgiveness. But, of course, when both partners are spirit-filled believers, this gets a little easier.

It should be a race to the bottom. Imagine if both partners were doing their best to meet the needs and desires of the other person and not seeking to climb to the top.

Tragically, many men have heard the Bible say that he is to be the leader of the home, and they think this means he gets to make all of the decisions. Nonsense!

A good leader leads, a good leader loves, and a good leader sacrifices.

So, men, it would help if you made more sacrifices in the marriage than the wife. Yes, the buck stops with you, and you will be held accountable to God for how you lead, so lead well.

“Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace.” (Ephesians 4:2–3, NLT)

If you are merely winging your marriage, it probably shows.

3. Don’t “wing” your relationship with God

Of all things that we should have a good plan and good discipline about, our relationship with God should be at the top of the list. Here’s the thing, 1 out of 1 people died. That includes you! One day you will take your final breath on this extremely short life, and you will slip into eternity either in heaven or in hell.

Sadly, the eternal plan for many people is, “I hope I make it.” What do you mean, you hope so?

Did I hear you say that you are winging it when it comes to eternal damnation or eternal bliss?

Let me help you out. The Bible tells us that there is only one way to enter into a relationship with God and that is through the finished work of Christ.

“There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. And you know the way to where I am going.”

“No, we don’t know, Lord,” Thomas said. “We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.” (John 14:2–6, NLT)

Have you made that most important decision of your life?

If you have, remember that once you are a child of God, the work of the relationship does not stop. No, you cannot lose your salvation; however, you can grow in spiritual maturity. It is possible to understand the heart of God further and experience a deeper relationship with Him.

It would be best if you had good, godly disciplines in your life. One of the best books ever written on this is “Spiritual Disciplines of the Christian Life” by Donald Whitney.

Listen, if you decide to “wing it” when it comes to playing Scrabble or mowing your lawn, that is perfectly fine. No harm, no foul. You probably won’t win the game, and your neighbors might call you Fred Sanford. Who cares?

But, if you are winging it when it comes to your finances or your marriage, most likely, you are in deep trouble. If you are winging it in your relationship with God, this could spell eternal disaster.