Procrastination!

A Spiritual Issue

Indecision

The 5 Causes:

Jonah Chapter 1

What are you doing for
heaven’s sake?

The first day is when you were born.

The second day is the day you discover what you were born for.

The first call is general and is shared by all of us. It is a call to follow Jesus Christ.

The second call is your unique contribution to God’s mission, utilizing your spiritual gifts.

3 destructive consequences of procrastination…

It wastes opportunities in life.

Ephesians 5:16

¹⁶ making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.

It causes problems.

Proverbs 15:19

¹⁹ The way of the sluggard is blocked with thorns,
but the path of the upright is a highway.

It hurts others.

 

So in your heaven sent priorities, what are you doing for heaven’s sake?

What does God have to do to get your full attention?

What are you waiting for?

Jonah 2:1-3

From inside the fish Jonah prayed to the Lord his God. ² He said: “In my distress I called to the Lord, and he answered me. From deep in the realm of the dead I called for help, and you listened to my cry. ³ You hurled me into the depths, into the very heart of the seas, and the currents swirled about me; all your waves and breakers swept over me.

 

So how can you purge procrastination?

First, stop making excuses.

Proverbs 22:13a

The sluggard says,
“There’s a lion outside!

Accept responsibility.
Don’t blame others.
Don’t blame circumstances.

Second, ask God for help.

It is a Spiritual Problem.

Third, master your moods.

Attitude is everything!

Eight stages of procrastination:

 

• “I’ll start early this time.” That’s hopefulness.
• “I’ve got to start soon.” You start to feel a little bit of tension.
• “I should have started sooner.” You start to feel a little creeping guilt.
• “There’s still time to do it.” That’s false reassurance.
• “What’s wrong with me?” Desperation starts to set in.
• “I can’t wait any longer.” Now you’re getting to the stage of intense pain.
• “Just get it done.” Stressed out and feeling burdened, you finally act.
• “Next time I’ll start earlier.”

 

I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Philippians 4:13

Fourth, set a deadline and schedule it.

Proverbs 13:16

All who are prudent act with knowledge, but fools expose their folly.

Fifth, get an accountability partner.

Romans 1:12

That is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.

Lastly, start now!

James 4:17

 If anyone knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.

Just say, ‘God, I can’t, but You can. I need Your help.’

 

What are you waiting for?