The Cessation of Procrastination

Inspired by a certain poem, I have decided to write on a subject that will hopefully give you, My Dear Reader, something to think about.

Procrastination. We all shrug it off as if its a small thing. "I just don't feel like doing that assignment right now. I need a nana nap before I start cleaning. There'll be time to bake that cake after I've checked my emails, and my Facebook and talked on MSN for 2 hours. I'll do it later, I'm not in the mood."

Sound familiar?

Perhaps you laugh it off. Perhaps you shouldn't. Who do you think is tempting you to think these thoughts? The devil wants you to live an idle, lazy, unproductive life. How often has boredom led you to sin? Think about it. "A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls." (Proverbs 25:28)

The Bible is clear that, because the Lord ordained work for man, laziness is sin. “Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise” (Proverbs 6:6).

God commands us to be self-controlled and self-disciplined, which includes not being ruled by our 'mood' or 'how we feel'."No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize."(1 Corinthians 9:27)

“For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10). Christians are not saved by works, but they do show their faith by their works (James 2:18, 26)

If we plan in the future to live hardworking, productive lives for God's glory as adults, we must now start forming the habits that will make it easy. Don't expect to easily fall into a strict working schedule as soon as you get married or turn 21. If you don't pick up your clothes off the floor now, unless you actively make keeping tidy a habit, chances are you will drop your clothes on your husbands floor too. Is that what you want? Having a slobby untidy bedroom and a dirty, unkempt house is not going to be a good witness. What kind of changes would you have to make in your life in order to portray the fruit of the Spirit? "Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” (Galatians 5:22)


And anyway, how nice does it feel to see a big long list of chores all ticked off at the end of the day? If you don't know yet, you can trust me, it feels great! A whole lot better than that downward spiral of self-loathing that results from succumbing to the temptation, be it one more cookie, or ten more minutes in bed.

Take control of yourself! Make lists! Set your alarm earlier in the morning, and get up and go for a run! Get off Facebook and get into your Bible! Don't tell me you don't have time, you had time to eat, and your eternal soul's relationship with God the Father is more important than eating.
"It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" (Matthew 4:4)