Friday, March 4, 2011

"FAN THE FLAME" FRIDAY - Procrastinate

Welcome to "Fan the Flame" Friday.

This is a weekly post that will be "short and sweet" (kinda like me...)

Just a word and a phrase, a sentence or a question...just a little something to "fan the flame" of your creativity!

Today's word: procrastinate

Do you ever procrastinate? About what kinds of things, and why?

Do you think it's ever a sin to procrastinate?


Let me know what you think!!


"This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you…For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline." (2 Timothy 1:6-7)


BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

11 comments:

  1. Procrastinate? The question for me would be more like what do I NOT procrastinate on.

    Actually, I procrastinate on things that I don't like to do (hoping they will go away) or when treading into new territory (perhaps out of a bit of fear).

    Is it a sin to procrastinate? Yes, I think it can be, especially when God has called us to do a certain thing or into a certain area (case in point, Jonah.) God certainly got his attention, however.

    Good thoughts for today, Sharon.

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  2. I wouldn't call it a sin unless what I'm procrastinating is something GOD told me to do. In that respect, it's just plain disobedience no matter what word I attach to it.

    I procrastinate. Apart from my anxiety issues, it probably causes me more trouble than ANY single weakness I have.

    I'll even procrastinate stuff I want to do. It's sad, really.

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  3. I'm procrastinating my housework right now. I just stopped back by to see what anyone else said. Pathetic.

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  4. Oh my...I am running from this post right now!!! Okay, I seem to see it more in others than myself...true confession, so I need to stop and ask the Lord what I am procrastinating about right now...maybe after my last post, I am procrastinating over totally changing my eating habits.
    Thanks for fanning the flame...also for your great comments on my post... I always get a laugh from you and I nod in agreement.

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  5. lots of times...I procrastinate...then scramble and feel pressured. I think I work better under pressure even though I hate it.

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  6. I'll get back to you on that...

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  7. I too procrastinate and it can be a sin. Scripture says if you know to do good and do not do it, to him it is is sin (James 4:17). So if you know to do good and you keep putting it off, are you not sinning?

    Blessings

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  8. I think sometimes it's more of a sin not too - like Mary and Martha. sandie

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  9. Convicted. You got me again.

    The scripture that comes to my mind is:

    James 4:13-15 "Now listen, you who say, Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money. Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that."

    To me, this means, we need to spend our time doing what we should be doing and need to be doing. If we are procrastinating about sharing the gospel with our friends and family, we are indeed sinning. We may not be gifted with another moment to do so.

    Way to get me thinking, Mrs. Sharon. Now to go catch up on the rest of what I've been missing.

    Although...I do love the point that putting off things that don't matter is obedience (like Mary). You have very insightful friends! :)

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  10. I'm so bad about procrastinating in the mornings when I'm getting ready to read my Bible and pray. I get online first (bad mistake) and say "one more blog, one more email and realize I'm "cheating" myself out of time I could be spending with the Only One that matters. Procrastinating sometimes takes us away from things that can help us grow and learn more. In those cases, procrastination is not a good thing

    good word this week Sharon

    enjoy the weekend!

    betty

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  11. I was going to respond to you guys tomorrow - but why wait? HA!

    Joan - Yes, you have mentioned one of the main reasons I procrastinate - fear. It keeps me from doing things that I am sure the Lord wants me to do. The enemy makes me think it's not that big a deal - but it is.

    Debbie - You crack me up. Get back to work!! Don't you find it true, though, that anxiety is at the heart of so many things that we put off? I find that the more nervous I am about something, the more I stall doing it - which of course, makes me more nervous, etc. It's a vicious cycle of ineffectiveness. I'm sure that the Lord does not want me caught in this whirlpool.

    Janette - Oh boy! Procrastination when it comes to changing habits - yup, been there and done that! Think about it - we never procrastinate when it comes to things that are easy, or things that we want to do. So, is procrastination the opposite of discipline? Hmm...you're making me fan my flame.

    Sarah - I really understand what you're saying. I work better under pressure, too - though I do not enjoy the frantic feeling of pressure. However, I have also procrastinated on something that I just don't want to deal with - only to have the problem nearly impossible to solve by the time I choose to deal with it. That is not a good thing.

    Shay - I don't have the words...have to tell you later!! :)

    Ken - I loved what you had to say. You gave a perfect answer to my question of whether procrastinating is a sin. I'm pondering that one - and the Scripture was right on, too!

    Sandie - Now that is an interesting thought. A whole other viewpoint - and I really like it. Yes, Martha could have put off some of those urgent chores to really focus on the importance of being with Jesus. More room for godly discernment, huh?!

    Jennie - I think you made such a good point (so, thanks for being one of my insightful friends) - some things are SO important, like sharing the Gospel, that we must never procrastinate in doing them. We should never stall when it comes to Kingdom work.

    Betty - Glad you enjoyed this word. Another of my blogging friends issued a challenge this week. She challenged her readers to do their quiet time FIRST thing - before jumping on the computer. She made a good point. And you have said the same thing. We must not be deterred from things that can help us grow and learn more.

    I'm trying to forge ahead in courage - and not putting off until tomorrow what God wants me to do today!

    GOD BLESS, everyone - hoping you're having a good, restful Saturday.

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"So [I] have been greatly encouraged in the midst of [my] troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith. It gives [me] new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord. How [I] thank God for you!" (1 Thessalonians 3:7-9)

Thanks for your comments - it is such a joy to be sharing my journey with friends like YOU!

(NOTE: Anonymous comments will be removed. Thank you for understanding.)