Stop Procrastination

To see results and positive changes in our lives, taking action with no delay when we hear from God is the best way to respond. The worst thing we can do is to procrastinate and make excuses. It is a mistake to think that because we are under grace, we can simply do nothing and not even try to comply with what He tells us to do. This is not striving or self-effort, but cooperation with what has already been done. Good intentions are certainly commendable, but we will fail if we keep putting off what we know to do. When the Holy Spirit reveals God’s will for us, success comes from a willingness to follow through with what needs to be done. Doing our part without dragging our feet positions us to receive miracles from God.

Procrastinating keeps us from moving forward in the direction God wants us to go.

And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk (John 5:5-8).
Taking immediate action to do what God has told us to do makes a tremendous difference in our lives. We must not procrastinate or make excuses. This is what the man with the infirmity did, at first.
We can put a “do it now” mindset into practice with simple things like forgiving someone, giving someone a gift, or praising God. Doing so right away when He reveals a course of action brings manifestation faster.
Procrastination is a sure way to fail; it causes an inability to change.

There are three reasons for procrastination:
The first reason is indecisiveness and an inability to make up our minds.
The second reason is perfectionism; we think we cannot do something unless we do it perfectly.
The third reason is laziness and an unwillingness to change. We must be willing to move even when conditions are not favorable.
He who observes the wind [and waits for all conditions to be favorable] will not sow, and he who regards the clouds will not reap (Ecclesiastes 11:4, AMPC).

Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away (James 4:13, 14).
“Go to now” speaks to the procrastinator who wants to put off taking action.
Life can be unpredictable; tomorrow might not show up. We should never put off until tomorrow what we can do today; we must do it now.
It is easy to put things off until later, but “later” may never come. We must do it now.

But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin (Hebrews 3:13).
a. Plenty of people make plans for “tomorrow” but never get the chance to accomplish because they do not make it to the next day.

Instead of procrastinating, we can love others today, forgive today, and encourage others today.

We must listen to God today; we may not get another chance. We need to make haste in having faith in what Jesus has done for us.
Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts (Hebrews 4:7).
I made haste, and delayed not to keep thy commandments (Psalm 119:60).

Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin (James 4:17).
The Bible takes a strong stand against procrastination. If we know the right thing to do, we must do it immediately. Procrastination paralyzes progress.
Procrastination is a bad habit we must break. It can have disastrous consequences.

And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee (Acts 24:24, 25).
Felix procrastinated when he had the chance to be saved. He took no immediate action.
Procrastination leads to failure and no change.

There are problems associated with procrastination. The first one is that it does not take into account life’s uncertainties; today is the only thing we have for sure.
Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth (Proverbs 27:1).
And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? (Luke 12:18-20).
See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil (Ephesians 5:15, 16).

The second problem is that procrastination does not take into account the uniqueness of conviction. When we hear from God, we must respond right away.
Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near (Isaiah 55:6). There are three ways to overcome procrastination: the first way is to develop a sense of urgency. By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through (Ecclesiastes 10:18).
The second way is to stop making excuses.
The third way is to take advantage of today.