Put Off Procrastination

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How Do We Become Entangled?

Decision Making· Mindset· Oops Occasions

9 Jul

Former procrastinators, though we are free in Christ, we can again think and act like slaves.  “Do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage” Galatians 5:1 warns us.  Let’s THINK, CHOOSE, and ACT like we’re free – avoid the old ways that entrap us, and live as the new women Christ has made us to be.  (July 2, 2018 Freedom from Bondage)

What lures you away from doing what needs doing when it needs doing?  What entangles and enslaves you to The Undone? A number of diverting lures tangle me in a yoke of bondage if I choose to act on them.  Instead I want to stand firm.  Bondage? Never again!

Lack of routine.  When I let routine drop, I drop priorities too.  (Because we set up routine based on priorities.)  This relates to the next thing…

Not acting on priorities daily or weekly.  Letting them slip from their prime position.  I get tangled in a mass of many other things when I drop those that are most important.  Notice that order of action.  If I keep the priorities, I’m less likely to take on the many other things.

Failing to course correct.  Sometimes I must step away from my desired path.  Not returning as soon as possible draws me farther away and deeper into the weeds.

Operating on my own.  When I get away from quiet time with the Lord and fail to seek His guidance and strength, I get tangled.

Starting a pile.  I might as well plant a briar patch when I put something down on the counter instead of taking care of the business or placing the item where it should be.

Not acting when prompted.  The Holy Spirit can speak to me by His nudging or use a reminder on the calendar to move me to action.  Resistance entangles me.

These words have come out of my mouth and taken me into bondage:

“Just this once.”  Hah.

“I did this yesterday and nothing bad happened.  I’ll eat another dessert/ put off the phone call again today.”  Bad shows up later.

“It won’t matter.”  It did.

“Just one more thing.”  This reminds me of my cross stitch days.  “Just one more row of x’s.”  One row leads to three rows leads to…

“Just 5 minutes then I’ll hop up from the computer.”  Email, social media, googling – big bad tanglers.

“If I hurry, I can do it all.”  Not likely.  Or not well.  Or not with peaceful enjoyment.

“I’ll leave this for later.”  Often translates, “I’ll lay a trap for myself.”

“For now…”  This phrase strikes fear in my heart.  I don’t know where to put this thing, so for now…  “For now” creates an obstacle, a junk drawer, a junk room, piles, tangles.  (Yikes. Have I instructed my children using this phrase?)

What are the lures that draw you away and entangle you again in bondage to the Undone?

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2 Comments

« Freedom from Bondage
Rest and the Risen Jesus »

Comments

  1. Lonese Wright says

    July 9, 2018 at 4:39 pm

    Thank you, all of us humans can be draw away from what God want us to do. Thank you for sharing. It is a reminder that I needed at this moment. Bondage feels like a trap.
    Enjoy your Day

    Reply
    • Beth Sterne says

      July 10, 2018 at 8:12 am

      Right, Lonese. Thanks for commenting! Bondage does feel like a trap. We don’t want to be content there.

      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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“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.”
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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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