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Trash the Trash

Habits & Routines

10 Jul

Former procrastinators, sometimes the obvious escapes us. Would you like to know two easy –to-do things that all by themselves would lessen clutter, confusion, demands, energy requirements, and frustration? At our house, doing these two simple things right away would keep us from having to “back step” and do later what was not done when it should’ve been done – thereby causing irritation and more delays in the present. Two simple things for more freedom, less bondage. We can do them ourselves, teach our children, and set the example for our co-workers. Here’s the first one:

Trash the trash.

Recognize trash for what it is and throw it away immediately. Yes, that needs to be said! When God designed our bodies, He created systems that process the good and eliminate the unnecessary or harmful. Retained, some of the latter substances can become poison. Harmful effects also result in our homes, purses, schedules.¶.

Consider some commonly spotted trash still occupying home and brain space: used tissues laying out (Really?), wadded up papers, credit card offers, dead light bulbs, bottle tops, receipts, scratched CD’s, business cards, church bulletins, supermarket fliers, broken toys, bent paper clips, plastic fast food cups, etc. Do we think these things will morph into valuable items?

Some trash is – or feels – harder to recognize. It’s “good,” but I know it won’t be used by us. Feeling guilty, I delay throwing the thing away (or, if appropriate, placing it with someone else). “One spoon of mashed potatoes, hmmm. I could eat it, but then the choice is, “waste or waist.'” It goes in the fridge occupying space and a container until it turns green and I remove it. Then my conscience is clear? Actually, with a clear conscience, I should’ve never kept it at all. There’s the coupon it would be fun to use; but I know I won’t get to that store in time. The party favor, the seeds that came with an ad.¶

It helps to be honest and courageous. Yes, it takes courage to throw some things away. “I hate to waste those good mini packets of mustard and mayonnaise.” But is it not wasteful to give space to something I will not use, allowing it to age for months and become sticky while crowding out the useful and enjoyable? Resident trash. It becomes part of the landscape. Yuck!

I should evaluate based on an item’s usefulness TO US. If an item doesn’t serve us, then donate, sell, or trash. Now!

This is a narrow but helpful application of Psalm 119:37. “Turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things and revive me in your way.”

It’s freeing to discern trash and remove it. Don’t let it grab your ankles! If it already has, cut it off. It’s tripping you up!

This week, what old resident trash will you recognize and throw out? What worthless newcomers will you eliminate on the spot?

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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
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/
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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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