Put Off Procrastination

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Outlaw Attitudes

Beth's Story· Mindset

13 Nov

Fellow former procrastinators, I recently watched an old western that has stuck in my mind.

In the story, a young man was jailed because he committed a serious crime. He declared there was no proof of his guilt.  He wanted a retrial which was denied, then a pardon, which was also denied. His sentence was upheld.  He was cocky when he expressed his belief that he would be freed.  He whined and cried when his circumstances did not improve.  He clung to the belief that a deal had been made that would allow him to escape.

Why has this stuck with me?

I was particularly struck by the young man’s belief in lies he told himself. He was unwilling to accept responsibility or the consequences of his actions.  He refused to recognize truth and continually begged to be let off the hook.  He hung his hopes on being excused for what he’d done.  He was even uppity about it.  He blamed those who did not succeed in getting a retrial or pardon.  He chose to believe a lie because it gave him false hope.  Things did not go his way.

Maybe this sticks with me because I see shades of what I was like. I’ve been thinking of Psalm 119:29.  “Remove from me the way of lying, and grant me your law graciously.”  I often lied to myself by telling myself things I wanted to believe whether they were reality or not.  “Being late was not my fault.”

I didn’t see that my choices made me tardy, etc. I blamed other people or circumstances for my behavior.  And I believed that lie.  God went to work.

Gradually, I began to see that I chose to do the wrong things. I was a hard worker, and productive – but not doing the priorities.  (Ex. Choosing to do chores instead of getting dressed to leave.)  Therefore, I brought on myself the difficulties I went through.  I earned the unpleasant consequences.

As I began to see myself in the light of truth, I gradually stopped being defensive. I faced that I was guilty.  I asked forgiveness a lot as I increasingly accepted responsibility for my choices and behavior.  God was changing me.  Now He helps me make choices that free me from the behavior and the consequences that are harmful to me, our family, and others.

“Mercy” that I sought to excuse me was not kindness.  It enabled me to continue in slothful ways and in believing a lie.

In Christ’s true mercy, He helps us face truth about ourselves and respond in light of it. He shows us what steps to take and gives us His power to change.  (v. 30 and 32) Hope in Christ is true hope.

Praise God! He’s forgiven me.  By His grace He is changing me.  I am walking free!

Is there an area in which you continue to put things off because you prefer to believe that others or circumstances are at fault?

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4 Comments

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Comments

  1. Linda says

    November 13, 2017 at 6:56 am

    Beth, These are powerful words to read! First I thought about ‘other outlaws’…then you brought me right back to myself-of course! Thank you. The Psalm was perfect. I was lifted and convicted in several sentences. How did you do that? What a great gift! I love you and encourage this great ability to engage us with truth in such a remarkable way! Love, Linda

    Reply
    • Beth Sterne says

      November 13, 2017 at 2:45 pm

      Thank you, Linda. Sticking with the way of truth as a habit helps us help ourselves. (Always under the Lord.) Good things are included as well as those we might not want to face.

      Reply
  2. Darlene Margo says

    November 13, 2017 at 1:08 pm

    Beth,
    As usual your message spoke to me. I see the little choices I make turn into the the big problems I have to deal with. Working on me?
    Love ya!
    Darlene

    Reply
    • Beth Sterne says

      November 20, 2017 at 10:35 am

      Well said, Darlene! Little choices turn into big problems – AND we have to deal with them. Our daughter is wearing a fitness tee shirt that says “Tomorrow’s success is decided today.” So often true in many areas. God is working on me too!

      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 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."

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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
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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/
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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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