It just seems like everything is taking so much longer to do today than normal. It could be because I foresee much work ahead of me and so I am procrastinating every step- even though I know it can’t last past today L. Tax returns, vehicle maintenance, parent-teacher interviews (3 schools same night), find and buy new used vehicle, entering data in financial books, March break- kids off and wanting to go here and there, library work, blogging, cleaning and all the other regular duties, and on and on. Gee, I’m boring myself already!
Actually, not all that long from when I’m typing this I have to go pick up my daughter to run a couple errands. (I wonder if I can schedule one full day next week to do absolutely nothing?) Back on topic. Procrastination just makes all the work we’re putting off look so much larger and scarier. Yes, dread and anxiety can increase causing bondage that God never wanted us to live with.
Keep procrastinating and peace and joy flee replaced by anxiety and depression- and a feeling of incompetence. While it may seem like a temporary relief, it actually increases our stress levels overall and the fruit of it turns out rotten. So here is a bunch of scriptures that I’ll be able to refer to any time I have this particular procrastinational issue. (Yep, I know that’s not a legitimate word!)
About Work:
Whoever is slack in his work is a brother to him who destroys. Pr. 18:9 (ouch!)
Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, Ex. 20:9
The soul of the sluggard desires and has nothing; but the soul of the hard worker shall be made fat. Pr. 13:4
The lazy one will not plow; after the autumn he shall beg in harvest and have nothing. Pr. 20:4
See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Eph. 5:15-17
He who observes the wind will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap. Eph. 11:4 ESV (In other words, if you wait to work until conditions are perfect you will not achieve anything)
How to Work:
And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men; Col. 3:23
Therefore whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1Cor. 10:31
Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might; Ec. 9:10
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Php. 4:13
Things to Remember:
A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to lie down; so shall your poverty come… Pr. 6:10,11
and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one. 1Th. 4:11 ,12 ESV
For even when we were with you, we commanded you this, that if anyone would not work, neither should he eat. For we hear that there are some who walk disorderly among you, not working at all… Now we command and exhort those who are such, by our Lord Jesus Christ, that they work with quietness and eat their own bread. 2Th. 3:10 -12
And Finally, we don’t have to fear what lies ahead:
For God has not given us the spirit of fear,
but of power and of love and of a sound mind*
(*G4995- discipline/ self control- a fruit of the Spirit Gal. 5:23 )