Don’t Lose Out on Life to Laziness
By Aaron D’Anthony Brown
“Idle hands make one poor, but diligent hands bring riches.” (Proverbs 10:4)
The Haze of Laziness
There have been many days when I took one gander at the clock and wondered, “Where has my day gone?” Naturally, some days are more productive than others, but there have been a few instances when calling me lazy would have been an understatement. Thankfully, those days are rare. Nonetheless, I realize that what we do with our hands, our minds, and our time has serious implications for our future. Near and distant. I’ve burned hours upon hours wasted on pointless activities that could have been put toward something productive. Writing, crafting dance choreography, and spending time with God. Anything.
Sadly, I know so many kids and adults who have struggled like me, but also those who make laziness their norm. If idle hands keep us poor, then what great things could we achieve if we were consistently diligent?
The Bible has plenty to say about laziness, and none of it is good. There’s no doubt that all of us struggle with this sin in one form or another, whether putting off an assignment, applying for a job, or letting those clothes sit in the hamper instead of putting them away. Yet, we lose out on life when we make decisions based on our laziness. If God has called you to Christ, you would be wise to heed the calling. Don’t lose out on life. Redeem the time you’ve been given. Figure out how to say no to this sin.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
Like any sin, multiple steps are often required to root out the problem and bring about change. Here are a few steps you can take today to start decreasing your laziness and finding more ways to be productive:
Admit the issue.
Do people often ask you why you take so long to do certain things? What’s your usual response? I’ll get to it? I haven't forgotten? The more you lie to yourself, the more you will lie to others. And the more you lie, the more the issue becomes ingrained. Perhaps you don’t realize, but laziness keeps you from reaching your potential. That’s why the first step to beating laziness is admitting that you are lazy. That starts with admitting to yourself, then to others. That way, you can eventually find accountability and, in the meantime, can make steps toward doing something different.
Reflect on the issue.
After admitting the problem, the next step is to identify where the problem manifests. Chances are, there is a narrative that you tell yourself and, as a result, tell other people, too. You make excuses not to do things in the moment, but why? What makes certain chores or tough conversations difficult? By becoming more self-aware, you can catch yourself when those sinful tendencies crop up. Maybe the issue is depression, and you need to see a therapist. Maybe you’re lonely and need to get out more. Or maybe your health needs to be checked, and it’s time to make that doctor’s appointment.
Make a plan.
Start thinking about what you want to do with your life. Jesus said that life is but a “vapor” (James 4:14). Part of the reason we should overcome laziness is because we want to take charge of our lives. Yes, God is the one with ultimate control, but He gave us free will. Don’t waste that freedom on doing nothing. Moreover, by overcoming laziness, we find more ways to fulfill the law of Christ by serving and bearing the burdens of others (Galatians 6:2). Laziness only provides losses, but becoming active provides wins for everyone.
Get active.
Laziness is marked by a state of stillness, doing nothing, often thinking very little, and having no goals. The solution then to doing nothing is to do something. Even a little. Maybe you set a goal of one hundred push-ups, but doing one is a challenge. That’s okay. Start with one.
When you’re just living day to day, limit the time you once spent gaming, on social media, or lying in bed. Give yourself at least three things to achieve each day. Something with substance. The more you get active, the better you will feel about yourself and life in general. Sin has a way of clouding our perspective, but virtue frees our eyes to see again.
Further Reading:
James 4:14
Proverbs 13:4
Colossians 3:17
Proverbs 21:25
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/fizkes
Get in touch with him at aarondanthony.com and check out his debut short story anthology Honey Dreams on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.
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Related Resource: How Habit Stacking Will Help You Discipline Your Mind, Body, & Spirit
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