Words of Encouragement -- Procrastination

In the past 27 years that we've been here in Taiwan, I've been invited to speak at different places.  So, for this week, I thought I'd give you a sample (all in outline form) of some of the talks I've given.

In what areas do we tend to procrastinate?

• Making tough decisions
• Confronting others
• Finishing assignments
• Paying off bills
• Cleaning house or doing housework
• Losing weight
• Exercising
• Spending time with God

What is procrastination?  How would you define procrastination?

• Wasting time
• Letting the urgent take over the important
• General dilly dallying
• Not doing what we need to do
• Not saying no when we need to be so that we can say yes to the tasks that need our attention
• An inability to practice self control
• A weakness in time management

My definition of procrastination is "NOT SUBMITTING OR ALLOWING GOD TO SET THE PACE AND THE PRIORITIES OF OUR LIVES". 

Why do we procrastinate?

• Laziness
• Fear of failure
• Wrongful thinking that the task is too difficult
• Lack of direction
• Lack of motivation – it’s not really important
• Lack of trust in God
• Lack of self confidence
• Lack of God-confidence
• Wrong priorities
• Feelings of indifference

My answer is that we procrastinate because the LORDSHIP of our lives is in our hands not God’s.

What is one Biblical example of procrastination and its results?

The Israelite – told to go into the Promised Land – Was right there. Twelve spies sent out. Twelve spies came back – Twelve spies and only TWO SAID YES… The others – chickened out!  Result – 40 years in the wilderness!!!! And never getting into the Promised Land except for the TWO who said YES.

How to stop the problem?

• Time with God and let Him order and "run" your life

• Read Biblical examples of good and bad examples

• Ask someone to keep you accountable

Conclusion:

Spirit filled life – or self-governed life

Fulfilled and fulfilling life – or wasted life

Life without regrets – or life with jobs left undone

We have choices every day.  Do we live our lives for the Lord and His glory?  Or do we live our lives in fear, always seeing the giants and the fortified walls and the tasks of each day like the enemy as many as the sand of the sea?  Let's stop seeing the impossible and chickening out. Let's start moving in the power and Spirit of God for in Him all things are possible!

Seek Him First!