Put Off Procrastination

  • Home
  • Meet Beth
  • Blog
  • Speaking
    • Speaking Topics
    • Speaking Schedule
  • Resources
    • You Might Be a Procrastinator If…
    • Books and More
    • Helpful Project Tips
    • Suggestions from You
    • Diligence Ditties
  • Contact

Diligence Is Not Constant Work

Mindset

6 Sep

Where do we get the idea, former procrastinators,  that diligence means constant work?   Relieve yourself of that burdensome thought!

Diligence is steady, earnest, and energetic effort, persevering application.  It means keep after it, stay with the task until it’s complete.  Maybe that means every day, or twice a week, or twice a month according to what is appropriate for the job.  Don’t let it get “cold” and sit unaddressed.  Of course, you also need to shower, eat, cook, play, sleep, work on other things.

Numerous Proverbs commend diligence.  Here are a few more verses.  None requires neglect of the hearts, minds, and bodies God’s given us.

“Earnestly seek Him”  Hebrews 11:6

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord”  Colossians 3:23

“I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands.”  Psalm 119

“Give yourself fully to the work of the Lord”  I Corinthians 15:58

If the Lord has entrusted you with employment, a home, husband, children, teaching –  then that is the work of the Lord for you.  You may also have other work of His to do.

Faithful showing up and earnest application.  As we strain toward what is ahead and press on toward “the goal,” we also rest and play.  The God who urges diligence and assures us of its benefits, is the same God who makes us lie down in green pastures and leads us beside still waters.  He established Sabbath rest.  He commanded feasts and celebrations.

Constant work is not scriptural or healthy and does not glorify God.  Even if we “love” our work, or it’s highly demanding, it’s still counter- productive to focus only there.  Rest and play are restorative and boost our creative abilities.

Do we think “busy” equals diligent?  Are we constantly working to avoid thinking about things we’d rather not?  Because it seems natural?  Because we mishandle our time?  Because we’re truly overloaded?

What arrangements will you make this week to build regular breaks into your day?

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Print

2 Comments

« Dispelling Myths About Diligence
Diligence Does Not Do Everything »

Comments

  1. vikib says

    September 6, 2020 at 7:07 pm

    My Dear Beth!
    You were a butterfly on my wall these past few weeks ! Boy did this week’s article get under my skin and give me check marks……….I was doing the opposite of procrastinating- I was over doing my assigned “jobs”! I need to take a break- even though I’m not finished with my tasks!
    I encourage my grown kids to do that, yet I won’t do it! thank you for calling me out!
    Love
    Viki Bozeman- Griffin, GA

    Reply
    • Beth Sterne says

      September 7, 2020 at 7:24 am

      Viki, we’re two peas in a pod! Now we learn not to put off breaks!
      (Thanks for calling me a butterfly instead of a fly!) Love to you!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

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.

Learn more about Beth ≫

Join me in gaining victory!

Subscribe to receive my weekly post in your email inbox with encouraging tips for tackling procrastination and creating peace.

Privacy Policy

Browse by Category

Browse Archives

What Others are Saying

"I realized [procrastination] ... hindered my relationship with Him."

Mary R.

Beth Sterne - Put Off Procrastination
2018-08-13T20:09:23-04:00

Mary R.

"I realized [procrastination] ... hindered my relationship with Him."
https://putoffprocrastination.com/testimonials/mary-r/
"I have loved 'Learn to discern what should come first.'"

Josie O.

Beth Sterne - Put Off Procrastination
2018-08-13T20:10:12-04:00

Josie O.

"I have loved 'Learn to discern what should come first.'"
https://putoffprocrastination.com/testimonials/josie-o/
"Getting things done isn’t as important as what gets done."

Megan P.

Beth Sterne - Put Off Procrastination
2018-08-16T14:40:50-04:00

Megan P.

"Getting things done isn’t as important as what gets done."
https://putoffprocrastination.com/testimonials/megan-p/
"Biblical truth ... with a lot of fun and laughter."

Cindy C.

Beth Sterne - Put Off Procrastination
2018-08-16T14:41:28-04:00

Cindy C.

"Biblical truth ... with a lot of fun and laughter."
https://putoffprocrastination.com/testimonials/cindy-c/
“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.”

Christine B.

Beth Sterne - Put Off Procrastination
2018-08-16T14:41:59-04:00

Christine B.

“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.”
https://putoffprocrastination.com/testimonials/christine-b/
"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.

Beth Sterne - Put Off Procrastination
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/
0
0
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

Copyright © 2022 Beth Sterne | Design by The Design Diva | Development by MRM | Privacy Policy