Taking Responsibility

The major cause of procrastination in my life is self. Self- focus produces crooked thinking. The Lord began to untangle the mass of wadded wires in my brain and heart and help me see these truths:

. My need to stop procrastinating is significant in light of scripture.

. I need to work in season to benefit in season – do WHAT needs doing WHEN it needs doing.

. The habit of choosing not to work in season makes me a sluggard, slothful.

. Self-serving choices prevent godly fruit in my life.

And one more crucial thing:

. I have to accept responsibility for change.

I have to accept responsibility before God, myself, and others. I have to be honest. Ouch!

No more “But I had to iron that skirt!” Instead it’s “I should’ve grabbed something ready to wear.”

No more “If I hadn’t had to stop for gas‚Ķ” Instead it’s “I didn’t leave when I should have.”

No more “I wanted to check email.” Instead it’s “I should not have gotten on the computer.”

Admitting the truth to myself and others can be embarrassing. Being honest is humbling. Admitting the truth AFTER I have made a wrong decision helps me because the next time I recognize a better decision BEFORE I act. My behavior is changing because I make a better choice in the next moment of decision.

Until I recognized that most of my procrastination problem came from self-centered thinking, the best ideas for time management had no effect. Accepting responsibility to submit to the Lord’s change is making a huge difference!

Sharing my decision to accept responsibility puts me on the line before the Lord and you sisters. Wow. Please pray for me!

I have a new appreciation for Hebrews 12:11. “Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”

This week let’s notice whether or not our first thought is to blame something or someone else for our own delays. We can pray, “Dear Lord, help me see how I think. Help me accept responsibility for my choices and actions. In Jesus’ name.”