Originally published Monday, 16 December 2013.
www.insideoutwithcourtnaye.org
Are you a procrastinator or do you know someone who is one? Well, lo and behold you are interacting with one right now! Yes, that would be me…Ouch! Can you spell DELIVERANCE! I want it. I need it! And anyone who is in my shoes is probably screaming, “I WANT IT TOO!” No one in their right mind wants to be a procrastinator. That’s why we have to get a handle on this, ladies. We cannot allow procrastination to beat us! It’s time to say goodbye to procrastination and hello to preparation!
How many times have you had something to do that you knew was pretty important, but you figured, “I’ve got time.” And then all of a sudden the deadline or moment sneaks up upon you and before you know it, you’re in this mad dash to get it done. Been there before? I totally have been there too many times. While this choice of action may be an adrenaline rush, it also tends to bring on a huge amount of undue stress and unimaginable mistakes. That’s why I strongly encourage both you and me to make it our new mission to prepare ourselves for the assignments give to us ahead of time. This way, we can make our deadlines and finish our projects without all of the mishaps and headaches. Amen!
Procrastination is another form of slothfulness and laziness. It’s putting off what we can today for tomorrow. It’s simply poor time management. It’s spending a little too much time in what we want to do vs. what we need to do. And I don’t believe that God is pleased with it. Proverbs 13:4 says, “Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper and be satisfied.” (NLT) We’re also instructed in Philippians 4:6-7, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (NKJV) God is One of order and peace, not confusion and haste. So, if we’re always in this mad race against time to complete a task or assignment, we’re only fooling ourselves, because that’s not God’s way of doing things. Instead, we must prepare ourselves early enough until the project is totally complete.
I believe procrastination is another one of Satan’s tactics to making us less effective for the service of God. And that’s why this has to STOP today. When we’re given an assignment or we’re asked to do something, once we commit to it, then it’s our responsibility to lay down our lives and get it done enthusiastically. *If that means rearranging our schedule, setting the alarm clock 30 minutes earlier to get moving, putting on some praise music, and saying “No” to some unnecessary requests, distractions, or errands that could throw us off task, then we MUST do what it takes to stay committed and get the job done in a timely manner and in excellence. BUT… if we wait and wait and wait, then the pressure will intensify and we’re less likely to do it effectively and with good lasting character. Notice when we’re overstressed and frazzled, we begin to lose fruit (patience, joy, love, etc.) Why? Because we’re running out of time! Ecclesiastes 3:1 reminds us, “To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” (NLT) And God wants us to have fruit that remains.
Sis, it’s time to give procrastination the pink slip! Let’s begin better preparing for the tasks that God has given us. Believe it or not, a lot of times, He’s just testing us and proving us for something greater. However, if He can’t trust us with the small tasks, then how can we be trusted with bigger ones or greater responsibility? And YES, this is a dying process, but He’s calling us to lay down our lives for others. Think about it this way…Jesus did it for us and at the end, He was rewarded! Yay! And now He’s seated at the right hand of God with so much joy! We can be rewarded too! Jesus tells us in John 15:13, “Greater love hath no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” Keep in mind that we’re working for the King ultimately and for eternal glory. We want to be faithful servants, not slothful servants. So let’s plan accordingly and get the job done. It’s high time to say goodbye to procrastination and hello to preparation! You can do it…and so can I.
Remember, Jesus is coming back soon! And those who endure unto the end shall be saved. So let’s get ready from the Inside Out!
~Courtnaye
*Thanks for reading! I hope and pray that you’ve been enlightened from this post. Feel absolutely free to leave a comment or for questions you can email me directly at insideoutwithcourtnaye@gmail.com, and I will respond promptly. Also, tune in every Monday at 7:30am for new posts! Don’t forget to “Like” my Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/InsideOutWCourtnaye) and share this blog with friends, family, co-workers, or your women’s group or ministry. I’d love to stay connected and help more women grow in the Lord! Thanks again and may God be with you!
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