Just Do It

Ecclesiastes 11:4 “Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap.”

Proverbs 13:4 “A sluggard’s appetite is never filled, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.”

Think

“Tomorrow is often the busiest day of the week.” - Source unknown.

Ever found yourself chuckling at the irony of a loved one procrastinating on a project until the eleventh hour? Perhaps it’s your child burning the midnight oil to complete an assignment or your spouse scrambling to finish a massive work project. The truth is, there’s always a slew of seemingly valid reasons for not getting tasks done—overcommitment, overwhelming responsibilities, or pressing family needs.

When confronted with the wisdom of Proverbs 13:4, the tendency is to dismiss it, thinking, “This verse doesn’t apply to me; I can’t be lazy because I’m always busy.” However, the reality hits home when the to-do list swells, overflowing with tasks and projects we’d rather avoid. It becomes a game of choosing the easiest over the challenging and delaying the difficult until we “feel like it.” Unfortunately, that elusive feeling seldom materializes.

As the to-do list lengthens, even worthwhile endeavors are sidelined if they threaten to confront uncomfortable truths—like avoiding clothes shopping to sidestep buying clothes in a bigger size or delaying a visit to the doctor for fear of bad news.

Eventually, the work gets done, but often with a begrudging heart and diminished quality. Opportunities are forsaken, dreams deferred—all because facing the uncomfortable seems like an insurmountable task. Sometimes, all it takes is an “aha” moment to prompt change. Recognizing our inclination to shirk discomfort and opt for ease over challenge can be the turning point to confront procrastination head-on.
Each instance of pushing past the “I’ll do it later” mentality becomes a chance to identify and confront the source of our resistance – whether it’s fear, perfectionism or a combination of motivations.  But facing resistance, much like lifting weights in the gym, proves essential for growth.

God’s Word may reveal a lazy tendency within us, and, truthfully, it may still linger despite progress. But, with his help, we will stop avoiding it. With his strength, we confront it, enabling us to accomplish more of the right things and inch closer to the person he created us to be.

Apply

Set specific and realistic goals and deadlines for each task. Hold yourself accountable to these deadlines, seeking God’s strength to follow through on these commitments.

Pray

Heavenly Father, I want to be a good testimony. I confess that at times, I have allowed fear, perfectionism, and a lack of motivation to hold me back. I pray for your guidance and strength as I embark on this journey of overcoming procrastination. Give me the discipline and time management skills to prioritize my responsibilities and focus on them diligently, knowing that I am working unto you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.