pray Archives - Diana Derringer

Putting Out Fires

October 12, 2026 Diana Derringer Comments 2 comments

Please welcome my friend Tama Fortner as today’s guest writer. Tama is an Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) award-winning and bestselling author with more than sixty titles to her credit. Her latest releases include Serah and the First Christmas; Prayers for Each Moment; God, I Feel Scared; and Easter Is Coming! She has collaborated with some of the biggest names in Christian publishing to create inspirational books for all ages. But her greatest accomplishments happen in a happy little home on the outskirts of Nashville, Tennessee, with her family and a feisty little pup who is convinced she’s people too. You can receive Tama’s latest bookish news, giveaway opportunities, and more when you sign up for her newsletter.

Too often, I allow the “dings” of alerts to drive my day. I end up putting out fires and getting dragged away from what most needs to be done.

Ding! An email with an urgent request. Ding! A text with another. Ding! A missed call. There’s even a ding to take the dog out. (Though, admittedly, I probably need this one.) Every ding feels like a fire that needs putting out.

That expression—“putting out fires”—has its roots in actual firefighting.

Firefighters rush to put out fires before they spread or cause more damage. Over time, this expression came to describe addressing urgent problems before they spread or cause damage. Sounds good, right?

Its modern meaning is a bit different, though. Cambridge Dictionary defines it this way: “to spend time on problems that need to be dealt with quickly, instead of working in a calm, planned way.” Ugh.

Real fires demand real attention.

But not every ding is a fire.

So when the next ding comes, instead of plunging headlong into firefighting mode, pause and pray. Ask God to show you what is urgent, what can wait, and what was never your fire to put out in the first place.

Because while you may be “worried and upset about many things,” Jesus reminds us only one thing is needed: Him. (Luke 10:41–42).

Image by Enrique from Pixabay.

An Autographed Book Giveaway from Tama

On 10-21-26, Diana will randomly select the name of one person on her mailing list to receive a free autographed copy of Tama’s book, Serah and the First Christmas. Please encourage your friends to join Diana’s mailing list for a chance to win Tama’s book. Email Diana if anyone signs up and receive an extra chance to win.

Packed Like Sardines

March 14, 2022 Diana Derringer Comments 2 comments

I am not a sardine fan, but many people are. Whether we like them or not, we get our money’s worth when we buy a tin of sardines. Those cans are full of little fish. We enjoy food packed like sardines. However, we don’t like to feel crowded ourselves.

Packed like sardines means to be packed tightly.

Usually that includes feeling:

Uncomfortable
Unable to move

We hope for relief soon

The space is too small for the number of people in it. That often happens with:

Subways
Buses
Concerts
Shopping centers
City streets

We don’t have enough room. We feel trapped

Rather than crowds and fenced in places, we long for the freedom of wide-open spaces.

Crowds can be good sometimes.

We want lots of people to show up to:

Learn important information
Help others
Receive the services they need

Jesus welcomed crowds while on earth and continues to welcome crowds today. However, Jesus also spent time alone. We do well to follow that example.

“Crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed” (Luke 5:15-16 NIV).

Thanks to Joe and Ann Klotz for the suggestion. Image by monicore from Pixabay.

Do you have an expression you want explained or a thought about this one? If so, please comment below.

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Don’t Sweat It

July 26, 2021 Diana Derringer Comments 3 comments

Don't Sweat It-Fan in the foreground; sun in the background Last week we explored sweating bullets. This week we look at a better plan: Don’t sweat it.

Don’t sweat it means not to worry about it.

When troubles arise, sweating bullets does no good. In fact, it frequently causes great harm.

Upset stomach
Headaches
Tight Muscles.
Sleep Loss

“Ain’t no need to worry.”

Several years ago, I watched an interview of a baseball player. I don’t remember the player or his team. However, I do remember this wise (but grammatically incorrect) quote.

He explained that if we worry about something that never happens, we waste all that time and energy. Therefore, “ain’t no need to worry.”

Then he said if we worry about something that does happen, we failed to stop it. Again, “ain’t no need to worry.”

“Why worry when we can pray?”

This quote comes from my friend Marian Woosley.

Her grammatically correct message reminds us to shake off our worry. Pray about our concerns. Let go and let God have control.

“Then Jesus said to his disciples: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear” (Luke 12:22 NIV).

Do you have an expression you want explained? If so, please comment below.

Subscribe to receive my weekly posts by email and receive a free copy of “Words of Hope for Days that Hurt.”

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Image by Bruno /Germany from Pixabay.