The “P” Word

First off, ya’ll nasty lol. The "P word" is procrastination.

For some of us, the word “procrastination” strikes fear into our bellies and we tense up. I understand. The last thing we need is someone shaming us for our unfinished to-do list that looks like a CVS receipt. Perhaps we’re already so hard on ourselves about our tendency to avoid things. Some of us have accepted that all humans struggle with this thing. Well, let’s start there. That’s not necessarily true. While most people have procrastinated before, according to research by Joseph Ferrari, a psychology professor at DePaul University, only  20% of people are chronic procrastinators, meaning they delay tasks in many areas of their life.

I’ve studied this phenomenon for some time now. It’s something I struggled with for a long time. “WHY CAN’T I PUSH THROUGH?” I’d avoid the “thing”-looming and large- until I was forced to do the task. Or worse, I was forced to deal with the consequences of the unfinished task.  Procrastination is a sneaky, sinister, little bastard. We oftentimes think procrastination is a mental block, but there's a troubling, emotional underbelly- it can be a result of perfectionism, fear, lack of motivation, ADHD or even depression! I'm not here to fix the underlying problem- I'm here to tell you, "Get out of bed with procrastination!" God feels strongly about this and I got bible for it:

James 4:17 "If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.”

Ephesians 5: 15-17 “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.

Ecclesiastes 11:4 “Whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap.’

Procrastination is an obedience problem. We may think that a call to the power company has nothing to do with God. We assume that the book, the conversation about a promotion at work, the prayer with a friend, the loads of laundry are inconsequential to God. That couldn't be furthest from the truth! God cares about the little things. “So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God” (1 Cor 10:31). Or “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much (Luke 16:10). 

If you're convinced that your procrastination stems from your fear of failure, bring that to the Lord. If you think it's because of depression, pray and find a counselor. Some of us have to be honest that we're a little lazy. It's time to make a change. God's calling on your life depends on it.