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Diligence Does Not Do Everything

Decision Making· Mindset

13 Sep

Have you laid in bed, former procrastinators, after a heavy meal and felt uncomfortable?  “Oh, I’m stuffed.  I shouldn’t have eaten so much.”  The need to rest, changing your position, brings home the fact that you took too many bites of that yummy casserole, homemade bread, and gooey dessert.  You know you’ll pay tomorrow too.  “Ugh.  Why did I do this?” 

We can do the same thing with our schedules by taking on too many responsibilities.  Do we think we’re diligent because we’re busy?  They’re not the same.  Busy is “engaged in action, full of activity.” (Merriam-Webster)  We have “stuff” to do; in fact our schedule is stuffed.

Diligent is “steady, earnest, and energetic effort, persevering application.”  The implication is that the effort is concentrated on a particular thing – not scattered, shallow efforts on many things.  Can we honestly give steady, persevering attention to many things in a stuffed schedule?  How many things can we be faithful to?

The root of priority is “one” or “first.”  Exactly how many things can be the first one?  This reminds us that our priorities should be a few essentials.  We can only be diligent with a few.  Focus where your impact counts most.  Let your schedule reflect that.

Wife and mom jobs and employment can provide us with enough to do without our adding more.  If God prompts adding more, go for it! Be sure it’s the Holy Spirit and not the committee chair or a guilty conscience that prods you to say yes.  Then move out in courage on the essential few He has given you.  There you can be diligent.

Are your days “stuffed”?  Can you find the few essentials you want to be diligent to do this week? This school year?

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2 Comments

« Diligence Is Not Constant Work
Diligence Does Not Require Perfection »

Comments

  1. Linda Willows says

    September 13, 2020 at 9:12 pm

    Thank you, Beth! When you spoke about the meaning of Priority as First, you reminded me of a sermon that we once had that included a talk about the “First Cause”, which is God according to Thomas Aquinas…

    Reply
  2. Beth Sterne says

    September 14, 2020 at 12:23 pm

    Now that would truly be the root of the word, Linda! Makes me think…

    Reply

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BETH STERNE
Welcome! It's great to have you here. I'm a follower of Christ and a learner of new ways. By His grace, I am gaining victory over procrastination. This is where I share struggles I face and lessons I'm learning. Join me and other sisters as we put off procrastination and put on peace.

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“I never saw myself as a procrastinator until her talk – I just thought of myself as productively busy! She helped me to gain new focus on what my priorities really are.”

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“I never saw myself as a procrastinator until her talk – I just thought of myself as productively busy! She helped me to gain new focus on what my priorities really are.”
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"Beth’s procrastination talk led me to understand procrastination as a heart issue in need of God’s restoration not just a change of my ways. Beth’s personal experiences helped me discover practical ways to attack my own procrastination. As a result I have become a more loving wife, mother and friend who is able to use the gifts God has given me more fully. I highly endorse this talk and would love to hear it again and again."

Julia F.

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2018-08-16T14:42:31-04:00

Julia F.

"Beth’s procrastination talk led me to understand procrastination as a heart issue in need of God’s restoration not just a change of my ways. Beth’s personal experiences helped me discover practical ways to attack my own procrastination. As a result I have become a more loving wife, mother and friend who is able to use the gifts God has given me more fully. I highly endorse this talk and would love to hear it again and again."
https://putoffprocrastination.com/testimonials/julia-f/
“Beth’s presentation on procrastination was truly eye-opening. I knew I had a problem with procrastination, but never thought twice about how it impacted my relationships and showed God that I wasn’t onboard with His plan. I began to see each instance took away from being fruitful; I was living for myself! After this revelation, I have been working on procrastinating less. I can see places opening up in my life for more peaceful moments, more time with and for friends and family, and more time for God’s plan to unfold. It’s amazing to know there’s more to life for me than a life full of “should haves” as a result of procrastination.”

Carole S.

Beth Sterne - Put Off Procrastination
2018-08-16T14:42:59-04:00

Carole S.

“Beth’s presentation on procrastination was truly eye-opening. I knew I had a problem with procrastination, but never thought twice about how it impacted my relationships and showed God that I wasn’t onboard with His plan. I began to see each instance took away from being fruitful; I was living for myself! After this revelation, I have been working on procrastinating less. I can see places opening up in my life for more peaceful moments, more time with and for friends and family, and more time for God’s plan to unfold. It’s amazing to know there’s more to life for me than a life full of “should haves” as a result of procrastination.”
https://putoffprocrastination.com/testimonials/carole-s/
“After Beth came and shared about procrastination, many realized that it is possible through the Lord's power to stop putting off what God has called us to do. One mother finally started a blog and another posted a ladies; tea for her church months in advance so that ...she would not put off having it. Although I thought I was not someone who procrastinates, I realized I had some relationships that I needed to work on. Procrastination, I learned, is not just about getting things turned in on time, it's about listening to God and doing what He says to do when He tells you to and obeying God's Word.”

Rebecca F.

Beth Sterne - Put Off Procrastination
2018-08-16T14:43:28-04:00

Rebecca F.

“After Beth came and shared about procrastination, many realized that it is possible through the Lord's power to stop putting off what God has called us to do. One mother finally started a blog and another posted a ladies; tea for her church months in advance so that ...she would not put off having it. Although I thought I was not someone who procrastinates, I realized I had some relationships that I needed to work on. Procrastination, I learned, is not just about getting things turned in on time, it's about listening to God and doing what He says to do when He tells you to and obeying God's Word.”
https://putoffprocrastination.com/testimonials/rebecca-f/
"I realized [procrastination] ... hindered my relationship with Him."

Mary R.

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Mary R.

"I realized [procrastination] ... hindered my relationship with Him."
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Beth Sterne - Put Off Procrastination
Go to the ant, you sluggard;
consider its ways and be wise! It has
no commander, no overseer or ruler,
yet it stores its provisions in summer
and gathers its food at harvest.
Proverbs 6:6-8
... you have put off the old man with
his deeds, and have put on the new
man who is renewed in knowledge
according to the image of Him who
created him.
Colossians 3:9-10

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