The Cure for Procrastination

Many of us suffer from the nagging problem called procrastination. We always intend to take care of the problem...tomorrow. How can we shake this bad habit? I would like to offer a solution.

The Cause

Why is procrastination such a common problem? I think it is so easy to put things off because we take tomorrow for granted. We assume that there will always be another day to do the things we put off, so we put them off.

We put things off until tomorrow because we think tomorrow is guaranteed. The problem is we forget about a little thing called “death”. Hebrews 9:27 tells us that all people will die someday. It could be today. We are not guaranteed any tomorrows.

“This night thy soul shall be required of thee”

Jesus told a parable about a rich man that was making big plans for his future (Luke 12:16-20). Little did he know that he was about to die. God told him, “This night thy soul shall be required of thee.”

While we are young, we think we have many more years to come. But we are not guaranteed to live to old age. I know several people that have died recently which were younger than I. No place is “death-proof”, either. You can die in bed just as easily as anywhere else.

What’s the Connection?

So how do we tie this with procrastination? I believe the solution to procrastination is to recognize that today may be your last day on earth. If you realize that death could come at any moment, you won’t put off the things that simply must be done. If this truth is made real to you, you will make relationships your priority because you never know if it might be the last time you see that person. Tonight may be your night to die...or theirs.

It‘s okay to put off some work (even some relationships can be put off). You have to determine if the work absolutely must be done before you die or if the relationship with that person is essential. If so, do it ASAP. If not, then it’s okay to put it off for a little while.

If you live with this philosophy, trust me, you won’t spend half as much time in front of the television. You won’t waste as much time in organized sports. Your priorities will get straightened out and you’ll end up doing more to advance the Kingdom of God in your lifetime.

My Charge to You

Don’t leave anything unresolved. Don’t neglect that relationship. Don’t put off that phone call. You never know if it will be the last time you see that person. Don’t neglect the work that God has called you to do. Today may be your last chance. So live with a purpose, live with a mission, and make every day count for the glory of God!