"Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." Colossians 3:23-24
“Just stop being lazy!” The words flew out of my mouth without a filter seeing my daughters' clean and nicely folded clothes lying on our dining room table for the third day! Clothes in which I already folded and repeatedly told them to take upstairs and put away, yet there they sat. The frustration grew and anger spewed out in a few not-so-pretty comments.
Yet after my unruly mom moment, a tinge of guilt hit me when I had a flashback of myself earlier that morning, all cozy and snug under a blanket watching another true crime documentary when I was supposed to be working on a writing assignment. Ugh. Here I was barking at my daughter about being lazy, yet I was lacking motivation and could barely carry out my own responsibilities.
Have you ever found yourself in a similar situation? A place where laziness, lack of motivation, or procrastination have become a pattern, and selfishness, anxiety, or even depression cause you to dig in your heels like my teen or hide under a blanket like me. That said, are these tendencies really that bad? Or is one worse than the other?
Yes, and yes! Meaning, yes, there is a difference between these behaviors, and yes, it does matter. Truth be told, I sought counseling last year when I had this continual sadness mixed with a loss of passion for things I once loved, and over time, I bowed out of practically everything. So, this precious counselor (and friend) of mine told me I was lacking motivation while my daughter was experiencing procrastination, hence the tension. But what really struck my heart was when she said these behaviors were not only a choice, but sinful!
The good news is, as believers, we have the power through the Holy Spirit to be an overcomer and conquer our feelings that collide with these “sinful” behaviors. But first, we must be able to distinguish the differences so we can find the root cause and choose to stand firm in our faith.
Laziness
Laziness is an avoidance of responsibilities or duties, usually rooted in selfishness. The Bible has a lot to say about the issue of laziness and comes with a few warnings as well. The truth of the matter is laziness is intentional and a desire to do absolutely nothing. When we choose laziness, we forfeit the abundant life that Jesus commands us to live, which is to love God and serve others (Matthew 22:37-39).
If you struggle with laziness, set small, realistic, and achievable goals, create a plan, and then stick to a routine. Also, be sure you are getting enough sleep, healthy nutrition, and exercise as this will allow your body to get motivated for the daily tasks at hand.
Lack of Motivation
Lack of motivation is the loss of passion or interest that often indicates a deeper concern. When you begin to lose love for something you once enjoyed and had enthusiasm for, it may be time to question your emotional state or motives. Colossians 3:23 tells us that we are to work with all our hearts as if working for the Lord. Yet, when we lack motivation it’s usually because we spread ourselves too thin and become overwhelmed, so we burn out and give up.
If you struggle with a lack of motivation, set some time to care for your well-being and seek rest. It may also be beneficial to find a supportive community to lean on and hold you accountable to find your passion again.
Procrastination
Procrastination is putting off or delaying a responsibility to do something else. While closely related to laziness, procrastination stems from delaying something that is necessary. There are a number of reasons why we put much-needed tasks off. It could be the lack of confidence in our abilities or becoming fixated on something else, yet Jesus tells us that everything we do should be done in an orderly way (1 Corinthians 14:40).
If you struggle with procrastination, start by making lists with top priorities, and mark them off as you go. Encourage yourself with little notes of inspiration that will encourage you to see your potential and gain confidence.
The truth of the matter is we can overcome each of these behaviors with confession, repentance, and asking God to help us live according to His will. While we all can fall into the sinful trap of laziness, lack of motivation, or procrastination at times, when it becomes noticeable to others or brings on waves of other emotions such as anxiety, depression, or fear, it may be time to seek outside support. Whether that be from a trusted friend to lovingly guide you and hold you accountable or a counselor to give you words of wisdom to live with confidence to carry out your responsibilities thoughtfully and intentionally. Remember, each day holds an opportunity to work and carry out our responsibilities for a much greater purpose (John 14:2)!
Father, I am so thankful I can come before You with an honest and pure heart and lay my battle of laziness, lack of motivation, or procrastination at Your feet. Please forgive me for not accomplishing the goals You have set before for me. Guard me against all the emotions that come with this behavior and the complaints and excuses I bend to and give me the spirit to work with a heart to serve and love others by glorifying You. Amen.
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Alicia Searl is a devotional author, blogger, and speaker that is passionate about pouring out her heart and pointing ladies of all ages back to Jesus. She has an education background and master’s in literacy. Her favorite people call her Mom, which is why much of her time is spent cheering them on at a softball game or dance class. She is married to her heartthrob (a tall, spiky-haired blond) who can whip up a mean latte. She sips that goodness while writing her heart on a page while her puppy licks her feet. Visit her website at aliciasearl.com and connect with her on Instagram and Facebook.
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