Put Off Procrastination

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The Mouth Speaketh

Goals & Priorities· Mindset

9 Mar

When I was in the pit of procrastination, a sure fire give away was my mouth. My traitor mouth would reveal where my heart and mind really were. Actually I was telegraphing the state of my Self and the negative consequences of my decisions. I was so preoccupied with covering for Self I didn’t see or acknowledge the truth. I just barreled on. After all, I had goals. I had things to get done!

In Matthew 12:33-37 Jesus says “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” He says good comes out of the good treasure in a man and evil comes out of the evil treasure in someone. He says we’ll be accountable for every idle word and that by our words we will be justified or condemned. What fills my heart spills out through my speech.

Years back it came out when my husband – or especially, children – didn’t cooperate with the expectations I inflicted on them. I expected their utmost cooperation because I was late getting on my agenda; therefore, I needed their perfect obedience. I wanted them to take initiative to do things that would help me accomplish what I needed to do. That’s how I saw it.

They saw that I was irritable, rushed, and struggling. They cringed when I yelled at them to hurry or pulled their coats on too quickly. The words and manner in which I spoke revealed the mess inside me, not them.

The excuses, irritation, and hurry came from an angry, embarrassed heart. I was angry because my goals were being thwarted. Yet I put myself in that position. I tried to do too much in too short a time. Or I chose to do laundry when I should have walked the dog. I was embarrassed by the nagging idea I had done this to myself. So out of my angry, embarrassed heart shot hurtful words – mostly onto my children.

Setting appropriate goals and then doing what needs doing when it needs doing helps avoid this turmoil and hurt. Our colleagues, husbands, children, and we are blessed if our honest mouths speak kind words from a calm, thoughtful spirit. If we do what needs doing when it needs doing, we can both achieve goals and respect precious hearts.

What have the words of your mouth revealed lately about your heart?

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4 Comments

« Goals and Desires
Setting Reachable Goals »

Comments

  1. Leah says

    March 9, 2015 at 8:49 am

    Wow, Beth, this is convicting! Unfortunately, I can identify with this and so can my kids.

    Reply
    • Beth Sterne says

      March 9, 2015 at 10:55 am

      I -we- spent too many years this way, Leah. But Hallelujah! God is good to change us! Once we become aware it’s our problem not somebody else’s and we accept responsibility…then the power of the Holy Spirit moves in to alert us before we hurt tender hearts. We start thinking ahead – then act sooner and more calmly. God is loving all of you!

      Reply
  2. Susan says

    March 9, 2015 at 9:05 am

    Holy Spirit thank you for using Beth’s words to open my eyes to how I have wrongfully treated others. Bless her for speaking the Truth and showing us how to grow in our walk with you Heavenly Father.

    Reply
    • Beth Sterne says

      March 9, 2015 at 11:07 am

      Oh, Susan, the Holy Spirit is at work in us all the time, isn’t He? He is faithful. I wish I hadn’t been resistant to truth and therefore such a late learner. (I would’ve called it busy, overloaded, preoccupied, etc.) But God is so gracious He takes our sin and uses it for His better purposes. Thank you for the encouragement. God bless you in your walk!

      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.

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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.”

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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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