Procrastination (pro-kras-tuh-na’shun) noun – “to put off intentionally and habitually; to put off intentionally the doing of something that should be done.”
What do you procrastinate doing? Spring/ Summer/Fall cleaning? Weekly cleaning? Washing windows? Cleaning out the stinking drain? Cleaning out or washing your vehicle? [guilty!] (Although, lately we have been having a “Free car wash day” almost every day here in the Ohio!) Writing that note to the widow who is shut in? Balancing the checkbook or working on your budget? [guilty!] 😐 Eating more fruits and vegetables? (Don’t wait until your health is gone before making some changes!!) Taking a dish of food to the new mother, or the mother with several children and a new baby? Offering to pick up groceries for your grandparent who cannot get out very easy? Making that phone call to _______? Getting with the friend or relative to see how they are “really” doing with life? Extending forgiveness to the persons to whom you are holding a grude against? Forgiving yourself?
This list could go on and on, but I think you get the point kontaktanonse. What is holding you back from doing any of the above? 1) Not enough time 2) Selfishness 3) Pride 4)Self proposed agenda versus heeding the gentle nudging of Holy Spirit. 5) You decide…..
Here is a quote from a friends website… “In the best of times, our days are numbered anyway. So it would be a crime against nature for any generation to take the world crisis so solemnly, that it put off enjoying those things for which we were designed in the 1st place: the opportunity to do good work, to enjoy friends, to fall in love, to hit a ball, and to bounce a baby.” ~Alistair Cooke
So based off this quote, there are other things that come to mind we procrastinate… spending time with grandparents, parents, going on a mini vacation with your spouse and children, spending quality time with each of your children separately or an evening with just your spouse…
I am writing this mainly for myself, because I habitually procrastinate in too many areas and need the reminder to be more transparent and honest. Perhaps you can relate?
“Finally brethren, whatever is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, or of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything is worthy of praise, dwell on these things.” Philippians 4:8
“Therefore, strengthen the hands that are weak and the knees that are feeble, and make straight paths for your feet, so that the limb which is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather be healed. Hebrews 12:12
Tips From Crown Biblical Financial Study Workbook
A procrastinator is someone who, because of laziness or fear, has a habit or putting things off until later. This habit often develops into a serious character flaw.
Here are some practical suggestions to help overcome procrastination:
1) List the things you need to do each day.
2) Prayerfully review the list and prioritize it according to the tasks you need to accomplish first.
3) Finish the first task on your list before starting the second. Often the first task is the most difficult or the one you fear the most.
4) Ask God to give you courage, remembering Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me”.
Until next week, let’s work on some of our habits we need to break! It’s ok to start new {{GOOD}} habits! (Like not procrastinating!) 😉
~Coach Shannon
