Do you want to say Adios to Laziness? I know I sure do!

No matter how strong of a desire I have to get a million and one things done in a day, laziness seems to rear it’s ugly head more often than I would prefer.

And, thus, the battle begins.

It’s amazing how much laziness can affect: from our faith to our finances.

And as a homemaker, no one assigns deadlines to the tasks at hand.

No one is overseeing me saying “stop being lazy and get to work!”

So, in that aspect, homemaking can be more challenging.

Managing the home has been entrusted to me. But I can’t be lazy and manage well at the same time.

If I allow laziness to take over, it affects, not another persons business, but my own family directly.

If I choose to sleep late instead of preparing food for my family, I’m the one who stresses when dinner time comes and there’s nothing to serve.

And it’s our budget that is affected when we buy food out instead.

Not because God hasn’t provided but for my lack of diligence in preparing it.

If I choose to scroll social media instead of attending to the budget, it’s our finances that are affected.

And if I choose to procrastinate on other unpleasant but necessary tasks, it’s my family that suffers the results.

So diligence is truly a “precious possession” (Proverbs 12:27).

That’s why this is the first of various posts on saying “Adios Laziness!” and “Hello Diligence”!

Throughout this year, I will be seeking to share with you what the Lord has, and is, teaching me in regards to the following question:

How can we, as women, leave laziness behind and begin to be women who are characterized by diligence?

The desire of the lazy man kills him, for his hands refuse to labor.

Proverbs 21:25 (NKJV)

How to Overcome Laziness

#1. Remember that work is not a Bad Thing or a Result of the Fall.

Sometimes we can imagine perfection as perpetual rest, laying in a hammock, rocking back and forth in the gentle breeze for all eternity. Never to be disturbed by work again.

However…

When the world was still perfect and God declared everything to be “very good”, work was part of the first man and woman’s lives. (Genesis 1:26-31 & 2:15,19)

Work wasn’t a result of sin & the curse, difficulty in work was. (Genesis 3:17-19)

Realizing that work is not bad, will help us try to avoid it less.

We can begin to see it as it is—a blessing and opportunity to serve others and God.

In all labor there is profit, but idle chatter leads only to poverty.

Proverbs 14:23 (NKJV)

#2. Recognize that laziness is sin and I can’t overcome it by myself.

Laziness is much more than a bad habit to change. According to God’s Word, it’s a sin that results from sinful thought patterns.

6 Now we command you…in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness…For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you, 8 nor did we eat anyone's bread without paying for it, but with toil and labor we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you…to give you in ourselves an example to imitate. 10 For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat. 11 For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. 12 Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good. 

1 Thessalonians 3:6-12 (NKJV)

When we’re bound by the stronghold of laziness we need something stronger to break those chains and set us free.

Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit says the Lord of Hosts.

Zechariah 4:6 (NKJV)

Precisely the Lord of Hosts (or Commander of Armies) is powerful to do that.

That’s exactly God’s business—setting people free from sins.

#3. Study and memorize Bible passages that Shed Light on laziness and diligence.

To help us put off laziness, we need to shed some light on what it actually is. And what better than God’s lamp to help us!

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

Psalm 119:105 (NKJV)

Here are some verses to get you started:

• Proverbs 6:6-11
• Proverbs 10:4-5
• Proverbs 14:23
• Proverbs 19:15
• Proverbs 21:5

[To dig deeper into these verses, check out my post on how to study the Bible better for free tips + printables!]

#4. Repent of the sin of laziness and allow the Truth to set you free.

Jesus said , I am the Way, the Truth and the Life…

John 14:6 (NKJV), emphasis added.

Be Diligent

According to Miriam-Webster, diligent is: characterized by steady, earnest and energetic effort. (Painstaking)

So diligence isn’t characterized by speed but by constancy, starting early and being willing to work.

As they say, “Slow and steady wins the race!”

And sometimes the smallest of God’s creatures are the greatest examples for us!

Go to the ant, you sluggard!
Consider her ways and be wise,
Which, having no captain,
Overseer or ruler,
Provides her supplies in the summer,
And gathers her food in the harvest.

Proverbs 6:6-7, NKJV

Women from the Bible to Inspire us:

She…willingly works with her hands.

Proverbs 31:13b (NKJV)

Throughout the year, we’ll be looking in more detail at how we, as women, can be diligent in various areas of our lives.

But for now, we can be inspired, encouraged and instructed by those who have gone before us. Those who have been counted faithful.

Although by no means a complete list, below are some women to imitate. Women described as having good understanding, being wise and fearing the Lord.

They were characterized by diligence, good works and being respected by others.

When something needed to be done, they attended to it right away. And in so doing, were a blessing to their families and those around them.

• Ruth (Book of Ruth)
• The Wise Woman from Proverbs 31 (Proverbs 31:10-31)
• Abigail, wife of Nabal (1 Samuel 25:3,14-42)
• Tabitha (Dorcas)—Acts 9:36-43
• The Wise Widows (1 Timothy 5:5,9-10,14) {Contrast with Foolish widows in 1 Timothy 5:6, 11-13}

Praise God for these women, who willingly worked with their hands and left a beautiful legacy of faith.

May we, with God’s help, be remembered the same.

The wise woman builds her house, but the foolish pulls it down with her hands.

Proverbs 14:1 (NKJV)

Love, Lauri

[Want to study more women in God’s Word? Check out Every Woman in the Bible by Sue and Larry Richards.]

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And as always,

Be Kind. Be Encouraging. Be a Multiplier!