May 26, 2018
So there’s this thing going around called the, “I’ll do it tomorrow” disease. I've had it for a while and I know I’m not the only one suffering with this. What is so magical about tomorrow? What makes us think pushing the deadline will ease life’s struggles? Have you ever considered thinking, “What if I don’t get to experience tomorrow?” I was listening to the Donnie McClurklin radio show and he said, “Procrastinating is an arrogant assumption that God is going to give you tomorrow to do something that He told you to do today.”
My Definition:
procrastifaking (pro-crast-uh-fake-ing) (v.)
1. This is where procrastinating and being fake with yourself meets.
2. Tricking yourself into thinking you can get more work done tomorrow by doing absolutely nothing today.
3. Unintentionally creating an overly busy schedule due to waiting until the last minute to complete a task. This enhances a fake appearance of being extremely busy because you may have had more time to complete the same exact tasks in a timely manner if you were organized.
Recently, I decided I was tired of being stuck in a loop of never ending tasks piled on each other. As of right now, I desperately need to get my life together because “procrastifaking” is making ordinary tasks dreadful to complete. Below are the top three things that resonated with me as I searched scriptures that addressed procrastination.
Laziness is a sin
“Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper.” Proverbs 13:4 NLT
· Procrastination is essentially, laziness wrapped in a fancy word and it doesn’t allow us to utilize our time wisely or efficiently.
· The scripture above describes how I operate on my laziest days. How many of you can relate? We want so much out of ourselves but we don’t want to put in the work to achieve the desired results. Don’t get me wrong, relaxing is not a bad thing. However, there should be a balance between work and play.
· Laziness usually creeps in when you, “just don’t feel like it”, even if it's for your future benefit. You may opt out of the activity and put it off for the following day.
· Nevertheless, scripture tells us, it’s a sin to know what you should do and not do it (James 4:17). With that being said, how often are you laying out on the couch avoiding “adulting” duties? Lounging around will have us stuck in a never-ending unproductive lethargic pattern.
Tomorrow will come…eventually
“Take a lesson from the ants, you lazybones. Learn from their ways and become wise! Though they have no prince or governor or ruler to make them work, they labor hard all summer, gathering food for the winter” Proverbs 6:6-8 NLT
· The scripture above reprimands us by calling out our lackadaisical attitude and compares us to the life of an ant. The Bible highlights the ants daily grind on storing food for winter while it is still summer.
· Think about it, an ant gathers food for the next season because it understands its basic need for survival. Ants don’t want to starve in the winter just like you don’t want to miss your next meal.
· Therefore, how are you preparing for your next season in life?
· If ants can prioritize their food-gathering schedule, a season ahead, what are we doing with our own lives?
· The work we choose to do or NOT do will directly affect our future.
· They say preparation meeting opportunity creates luck. However if you are not prepared, you may lack the blessing that should have been stored for you.
· Main note: Are you prepared spiritually?? You might need to go on a fast and study more scriptures because spiritual strength might be required soon. Spiritual strength comes from reading the word of God and praying fervently. Scripture tells us, the spiritual battle is not physical. We must be ready to fight spiritually against principalities and powers. (Ephesians 6:10-12). Essentially, we should stay ready at all times.
· It’s time to start being more consistent with our prayer and devotional quiet times. That’s how you become stronger in the spiritual battle and that’s how you will hear God speak to you.
· On the other hand, your friend might be going through spiritual warfare soon and you may need to stand in the gap for him/her. Are you ready? Don’t defer your spiritual training by procrastifaking!!
Do not put your confidence in tomorrow
“How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.” James 4:14 NLT
· Up until this point, I mentioned procrastination in the lens of doing things last minute but let’s check this out from a different vantage point.
· Have you ever wondered why God repeatedly tells us not to worry about tomorrow?
· I think it’s because He wants us to trust Him with our life which includes our time. As you read this, understand the Lord has given us enough energy to sustain for today. Therefore, there is enough work to complete today and enough time to do it! Conquer the tasks given to you because you may not be able to witness tomorrow. How are you handling the tasks God has given you?
· This may sound dark but most people that died last night didn’t think yesterday would be their last time on earth.
· Steve Maraboli says, “Cemeteries are full of unfulfilled dreams... countless echoes of 'could have' and 'should have'… countless books unwritten… countless songs unsung... I want to live my life in such a way that when my body is laid to rest, it will be a well needed rest from a life well lived, a song well sung, a book well written, opportunities well explored, and a love well expressed.”
· That quote should initiate a desire to stop procrastinating on life…period.
· Sometimes we procrastinate texting someone back or telling someone you’re proud of them (I’m VERY guilty of it.)
· Sometimes we may procrastinate on our dreams! We may put off a dream because we want to make sure everything is perfect before we can start it.
· Sometimes we may even procrastinate on sharing the gospel. Sometimes we may feel like, “Oh I’ll tell them about God tomorrow!” or “Oh, I’ll encourage them tomorrow” and tomorrow may never come. There’s a reason why God put it in on your heart to talk to that person. Allow God to use you by taking advantage of the time He’s given you for the moment to share the gospel.
Story Time: There was a time in my life when I was going through a lot!! I was at the hair salon and two older women were sitting next to me discussing an event. I was interested and politely joined the conversation. The conversation shifted and we started talking about a women’s devotional series at her church. I was excited to hear about it because the series was about Priscilla Shirer’s “Armor of God” study devotional. With a semi-serious demeanor, the woman looked at me and randomly asked, “Hey, what college did you go to?” Before I could utter the words from my lips she said, “I’m sorry but I just have to say this. God is saying to stop trusting any man. God will never leave you or forsake you. Only trust Him!” I immediately broke down crying.
For one, I never had someone read my life for filth like that! This lady didn’t know me from a can of paint and God literally spoke to me through her. At the time, my ex-boyfriend and I had just broke up 3 days before and it killed all of my plans because I was supposed to move in with him after graduation. At the time, I put so much trust in him and didn’t realize I was more dependent on that situation than God! It was too much of a coincidence for her to speak those words to me at that perfect time and I haven't had anyone do that again since!
What if she procrastinated and didn’t get to tell me what God told her?? I would’ve missed out on the work of the Holy Spirit. I’m so grateful she allowed God to use her because I was allowed to witness the work of the Holy Spirit. I knew God was listening to my prayers from that day forward. I knew He was there with me and He would take care of me.
As this blog post comes to an end, I want to encourage you and myself to STOP deferring our duties. Let's come to the conclusion that laziness is a sin, tomorrow will eventually come, and we shouldn't put our confidence in tomorrow. Let's stop waiting until the last minute to do what God told us to do and let's be more intentional about our priorities.
...Now go and be productive today!
UPDATE 10/2/2018 7am
Please check out this TED talk below! It describes the reasons why we procrastinate and the terrible effects it can cause for our lives.
Until Next Time...
Peace & Blessings, XOXO