Is doing it all what God asked you to do?

Published on March 15, 2022

The question, “how do they do it all?” has no doubt crossed your mind at some point. 

Recently, I found myself in a place where I was questioning what my “all” had become. I found the to-do list running too long, but at the same time desperately trying to add to it. Convincing myself that I should be able to do more than the everyday tasks I was labeling mundane or unimportant. I should be scheduling and filling my time better. 

The problem was that I was doing it “all,” and I was stretching myself past the limits. All of the time. I was feeling depleted financially, emotionally, and physically all while searching for ways to be more efficient, or functional. 

Carry out God’s will, not your own

However, I was not stretching myself spiritually. I kept letting the fear of missing out or missing an opportunity fuel my steps forward instead of Jesus to the point where I was running so fast, never stopping to ask directions. 

I thought I was making choices and working towards a goal in Jesus’ name. However, I was doing it hoping he would catch up to me and bless me—not letting him lead me. I was investing in what the world was telling me, continually telling me what I was doing everyday wasn’t “enough”—I could do better. 

By taking control of everything, I was essentially telling God he wasn’t enough. His plans for me had to be wrong—he just didn’t understand the urgency of everything I needed to do to get where I needed to go. 

I felt by slowing down I would lose “everything.” Surely, he wouldn’t want that, right? 

What he really wanted was for me to surrender all, not carry it by myself. An all-time favorite bible verse for many is Philippians 4:13: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me…” 

In a sense, this is true. God will equip you for what he has set before you. The point sometimes we gloss over is this verse is referring to you carrying out God’s will, not your own. 

Joy and contentment

So many times, we are bombarded with messages such as: “you can have it all,” or “you can do it all.” Social media helps us see what everyone’s “all” looks like. Of course, through a very curated lens. 

If we just work a little later, color code our calendars, or wake up a little earlier, a more fulfilling life could be ours. I had to be honest with myself. I was buying into a worldly mantra and not seeing the truth. I felt like I never had enough time, or that I was spending time on the wrong things. I felt as if God was saying, “who asked you to do all of this?” and who made you feel as if what I called you to do in this moment isn’t “enough.” 

I believe this is a common theme that many parents and caregivers run into. The constant war between what is and what you want it to be. 

We may feel as though we are not doing “enough.” That is if we measure it by the world’s standard. If we reframe this and ask God, what do you want it to be? Where do you want me to be? Then pray for the strength, wisdom, discernment, and peace that is needed to help us walk in our God given path. 

Accepting it may not be what we had anticipated—however, we know that it is going to bring us greater joy and contentment in the long run. You may feel your carpool driving, laundry folding, diaper changing filled days are not meaningful. However, if that is the season God has called you to, you better believe your obedience is powerful. 

Different seasons

Sometimes God will call us back to the very basics, or he is asking us to see the importance in our everyday tasks. 

He will give us a season where he is asking us just to walk with him, one step in front of the other. Sometimes he asks us to build up our faith one step at a time, instead of running ahead. 

We have to allow him to mold and shape us spiritually so we are ready for what he has for us in the next stage. Those small tasks where we are serving others and being obedient are, in-fact, enough! 

Take inventory of your “all”

My prayers may be different day to day. Some days I have to pray for contentment, when my heart is anxious with comparison. Other days I am praying for strength as I am not sure how today will get done. 

But, my prayers are daily, and hourly as I refuse to take a step without him. Increasing my surrender, taking a step back when I feel myself running ahead has allowed God to do a greater work in me. He is giving me new purpose, new passion. 

I am eagerly waiting for what he has in store for me.  Now I understand what David was saying in Psalm 27:4, “One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.”

If you are finding yourself overwhelmed, striving, or disappointed—or maybe you are feeling as if your thoughts are always racing, and frustration is your daily. Consider taking inventory of your “all” with Jesus. 

Let him show you what parts of your life may need pruning. Although pruning may be painful for a moment, that is when more fruit can grow. Let him bring you to a place where, like David, you can dwell in the house and gaze upon his beauty. Instead of streamlining or color coding your calendar further, you are letting go, giving room for him to direct your time and efforts.


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Dina Deleasa-Gonsar

Dina is The creator, writer, speaker, and television personality behind the popular food blog DishItGirl.com. Dina Deleasa-Gonsar is known for sharing her family traditions and modern twists on recipes along with an inside look at her real-life as a mom and wife. When in the kitchen, Dina brings her recipes to life with her personal anecdotes and honest, quick wit. Whether she’s whipping up something quick for dinner or pulling out all the stops for a family celebration, she is inspiring at-home cooks to get creative and try dishes that will become a staple in their house. Dina knows life isn’t always glamorous, so she strives to keep her content relatable, making sure to dish out her real-life that goes on behind the social posts and media platforms. Her family is at the center of everything she does and this can be seen during her time on the E! Network show “Married to Jonas,” which she appeared on alongside her sister. 

More recently, she was named Best Home Cook by the Hallmark Channel’s Home & Family and has contributed her recipes and on air talent to the Today Show, The Good Dish, Guys Grocery Games on the Food Network, Inside Edition, GMA Online, Rachel Ray Online, Real Simple, as well as countless other media outlets. Dina has experience as both a co-host, in food segment demo’s, as well as commercial campaigns.

As a speaker and writer, Dina has also lent her recipes, family time solutions, and encouragement to numerous podcasts, conferences, and news articles. Most recently, joining the Christian Parenting team as one of their highlighted speakers for their virtual conferences and writing for their blog. In addition to coming alongside the Exhale Women’s Ministry as a devotional writer, and frequent podcast guest. It is part of Dina’s mission to encourage other people to seek opportunities to gather with others and make memories. To help parents see that there is magnificence in what they consider “mundane.” She hopes to fill people with “DishSpiraTion” both in and out of the kitchen.

Whether it’s a 4-course meal or simply breakfast for dinner, with DishItGirl, Dina hopes to keep it real, with real-good food along the way. She currently lives in New Jersey with her husband, Brian, and daughter, Siena.

Read more about Dina

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