Put Off Procrastination

  • Home
  • Meet Beth
  • Blog
  • Speaking
    • Speaking Topics
    • Speaking Schedule
  • Resources
    • You Might Be a Procrastinator If…
    • Books and More
    • Helpful Project Tips
    • Suggestions from You
    • Diligence Ditties
  • Contact

Trying to Understand

Mindset

24 Aug

Alas, it’s pretty safe to say procrastinators are presumptuous. We don’t mean to be; it comes naturally. Let’s continue in Psalm 19:12-13 (NKJV). Please read Who Can Understand? (August 17, 2015).

“Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults.

“Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins: Let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, And I shall be innocent of great transgression.”

What are “presumptuous sins”? Dictionary definitions tell us “to presume” is to think something is true without knowing for certain. Legally, we accept something as true until it is proved untrue (presumed innocent until proven guilty).

Next is where our application comes in – to take for granted, to do something without the right or permission to do it. That’s why presumptuous sins relate to arrogance and pride as seen in the Hebrew.

Dictionaries say arrogance reveals an exaggerated sense of one’s superior importance, abilities, or rights.

“Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins” brings a picture to mind of my clenched jaw and quick tongue – but God’s hand on my arm as He whispers in my ear, “Hold back!” He warns me because He knows if I go forward with my limited knowledge and exalted belief in self (presumption, arrogance), I will pay a price for disregarding His authority. He wants to help me regard His authority – and benefit.

Here are some examples of presumptuous thinking. (Alert: They look pretty innocent.)

“I have all month to do that report.” Maybe it’s more accurate to say, “The report is not DUE until the end of the month.” Do I actually control those thirty days and what they will bring? What if another client has an emergency? Or Uncle John comes to visit?

“I’ve done this before. It won’t take any time to knock out this job. I’ll do it later.” Ever gotten into a job you’ve done before and discovered THIS time there’s more involved? Or somebody wants it sooner than expected?

“I’m never going to need that paperwork (passport, transcript, evaluation) for Johnny. He’s not ever going to do anything that requires it.” Do I control Johnny? Do I know how the Lord is going to move in his life?

Humility recognizes I am not in control and gratefully accepts the time provided now as the time to act.

Would you share some thinking you recognize as presumptuous?

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • LinkedIn
  • Print

2 Comments

« Who Can Understand?
Closer to Understanding »

Comments

  1. Sue says

    August 24, 2015 at 2:36 pm

    [* WordPress Simple Firewall plugin marked this comment as “pending”. Reason: Human SPAM filter found “post!” in “comment_content” *]
    Beth, I can certainly identify with what you have written in this post!
    Thanks for pointing out these not so pretty but valuable insights so I am able to pray more specifically for the Spirit’s work to change me
    Sue.

    Reply
    • Beth Sterne says

      September 6, 2016 at 11:16 am

      Thank you, Sue. There’s so much unlovely I don’t see about myself. HE is beautiful.

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

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.

Learn more about Beth ≫

Join me in gaining victory!

Subscribe to receive my weekly post in your email inbox with encouraging tips for tackling procrastination and creating peace.

Privacy Policy

Browse by Category

Browse Archives

What Others are Saying

"I realized [procrastination] ... hindered my relationship with Him."

Mary R.

Beth Sterne - Put Off Procrastination
2018-08-13T20:09:23-04:00

Mary R.

"I realized [procrastination] ... hindered my relationship with Him."
https://putoffprocrastination.com/testimonials/mary-r/
"I have loved 'Learn to discern what should come first.'"

Josie O.

Beth Sterne - Put Off Procrastination
2018-08-13T20:10:12-04:00

Josie O.

"I have loved 'Learn to discern what should come first.'"
https://putoffprocrastination.com/testimonials/josie-o/
"Getting things done isn’t as important as what gets done."

Megan P.

Beth Sterne - Put Off Procrastination
2018-08-16T14:40:50-04:00

Megan P.

"Getting things done isn’t as important as what gets done."
https://putoffprocrastination.com/testimonials/megan-p/
"Biblical truth ... with a lot of fun and laughter."

Cindy C.

Beth Sterne - Put Off Procrastination
2018-08-16T14:41:28-04:00

Cindy C.

"Biblical truth ... with a lot of fun and laughter."
https://putoffprocrastination.com/testimonials/cindy-c/
“I never saw myself as a procrastinator until her talk – I just thought of myself as productively busy! She helped me to gain new focus on what my priorities really are.”

Christine B.

Beth Sterne - Put Off Procrastination
2018-08-16T14:41:59-04:00

Christine B.

“I never saw myself as a procrastinator until her talk – I just thought of myself as productively busy! She helped me to gain new focus on what my priorities really are.”
https://putoffprocrastination.com/testimonials/christine-b/
"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."

Julia F.

Beth Sterne - Put Off Procrastination
2018-08-16T14:42:31-04:00

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/
0
0
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

Copyright © 2022 Beth Sterne | Design by The Design Diva | Development by MRM | Privacy Policy