Breaking The Spirit Of Procrastination To Start Your Christian Entrepreneur Journey (Even If It Scares You) Part 1

We worry like there’s no tomorrow. We worry about how much we worry.

Worry, stress, and procrastination are like 3 peas in a pod (okay so that’s not an actual saying).

Procrastinating on all of the important tasks in our lives leads to stress and stress causes us to worry, which Jesus clearly tells us not to do.

If we are stressing out all the time which we’ve already established is something Jesus advised against, our spiritual walk will suffer.

When we stress out and worry we show a lack of faith in Jesus and His power. We aren’t showing Him that we trust Him and His plan for our lives.

I hate to say it but I’ve been telling Jesus that I don’t trust Him for about 3 years or so by my procrastination.

Lord, forgive me.

– Overcoming Procrastination Strategies: 7 Actionable Steps To Break The Spirit Of Procrastination 

So how can you stop procrastinating? How do you get out of this rut and finally start your blogging journey?

Well, let’s jump right into this 7-step plan and find out. Follow these action-oriented steps to stop this destructive pattern for good:

Step 1: Bookmark This Article

I know it may sound bossy. It is bossy but this is why I’m being so demanding.

Because I’ve been there (sometimes I am still there). I’ve read a million different articles about how not to procrastinate and I never actually follow any of the advice.

So don’t read 5 more articles like “23 Tips To Stop Procrastinating Overnight”.

Just read this article, over and over until you have followed all the steps and completed whatever project the Lord is calling you to do.

You don’t need to read a million different tips about how to overcome procrastination.

You just need a few powerful tips that work. I pray that this post will contain those tips that will set you on your way.

Stop allowing yourself to be pulled in so many different directions and listening to too much advice.

Reading article after article post after post only slows you down and hinders you from taking action.

Taking action is the opposite of procrastination so if we want to stop procrastinating, we need to start by taking that first step toward accomplishing the goal.

Bookmarking this article is that first step. Then I’m going to lead you step by step to the finish line.

So bookmark this article, put it on your home screen on your smartphone, print it out.

Put it wherever you think you will see it and reference it.

And okay, I’ll be generous. Maybe you read this article and it doesn’t speak to you. I understand.

No hard feelings, truly.

What I care about most is that you do find one article that speaks to you, you follow the steps,  you stop procrastinating and you start doing what the Lord would have you to do.

That’s really all the matters to me. Whoever helps you get there is up to you.

But if you are feeling this article so far then let’s go ahead and go to step two (assuming, of course, you have already bookmarked this article).

Action Plan: Bookmark this page or add to your home screen.

Step 2: Pinpoint Why You Procrastinate.

Okay, so now that this article is bookmarked we can get to the heart of the matter.

Why do we keep putting the Lord off? There’s a reason why we keep saying “not now” when it comes to starting our Christian blog.

There’s a passion that God has put on our hearts but for some reason, obstacles keep getting in the way of us actually following it.

My own personal reason for procrastinating on this blog for so long was fear. Fear of the unknown, fear of success, fear of failure.

Any possible scary scenario that I could dream up in relation to this blog, I did.

I had my imagination working overtime creating all sorts of silly and unlikely scenarios. And you know what?

Some of those scenarios could actually happen  (although it’s doubtful).

But I don’t care because pleasing the Lord and using the talents he gave me to help others is more important than those things that may or may not happen.

Now obviously these feelings didn’t come to me overnight and in the next step I will discuss some of how I have overcome my fears.

But lets first get back to you because we can’t move on to the next step without you really digging deep and pinpointing exactly what it is that is making you so hesitant to begin this new adventure.

Here is a list of reasons why we procrastinate:

– Fear of Failure

• We are scared that we will look foolish in front of other people
• Scared that we will disappoint our family and ourselves
• Scared that we will see that we don’t have what it takes to succeed

– Fear of Success

• Afraid of how your life will change if you succeed
• Afraid that some people will be jealous
• Afraid that some people will look at like you’re money hungry
• Afraid you will open yourself up to internet trolls if your project involves social media
• Afraid to put yourself in a spotlight Afraid to be different Afraid of being a leader

– Fear of Change

• Fear of new responsibilities
• Fear of new decisions that will need to be made
• Fear of unknown
• Might need to quit your job
• End relationships

– Fear of Being Known

• In other words, you are afraid that your life won’t be as private as it is now if your project really takes off.

– Lack of Control of the Situation

• Having to trust in the Lord, fear of the unknown

– Lack of Faith in God

•  Unsure of what He wants you to do, scared He won’t be there to lead and guide you through it, that you won’t feel His presence

– Lack of Faith in Your Talent

• Not sure if you’re ready, if you know enough, if you’re smart enough, have enough experience

– Being Unsure of What God is Calling You To Do

– Lack of Support From People Around You

• Spouse/kids wouldn’t like it
• Friends would think you were weird
• Coworkers wouldn’t understand

– Procrastination Because Of Laziness

• The project is too hard
• Is a lot of work
• Time intensive

These are just are few of the reasons why you might be struggling with procrastination.

There are clearly tons of reasons why so if your reason is not listed here maybe they will help jog some sort memory for you and help you figure it out.

If you truly can’t come up with a reason, I would pray about it and see if God will reveal it to you.

And keep in mind that there’s not necessarily just one reason why you procrastinate.

There could be a lot of reasons why. It could be a combination of several of the ones listed and some more that you haven’t discovered yet.

Regardless, just keep in mind that you need to come up with at least one reason why.

You don’t necessarily have to know every single reason why.

Again, because getting bogged down in step two will keep you from moving on to step 3, don’t dwell on this too much.

I’d hate for you to procrastinate and never move on to the other steps.

Do this exercise to help you find out why you procrastinate:

When you feel moved to start working on the project but you hesitate and put it off, what are the thoughts that run through your head? How do you feel?

Write it down.

Do you feel guilty, anxious, a little panicked.

Realizing how you feel when you think about the project might give you some insight as to why you haven’t started yet.

Action Plan: Choose a reason for your procrastination from the list above or come up with your own reason.

What Does The Bible Stay About Procrastination

Procrastination, often considered a modern affliction, finds its roots addressed even in the ancient wisdom of the Bible. Throughout its verses, the Scriptures provide guidance on diligence, time management, and the perils of delaying important tasks.

One notable passage is found in Proverbs 13:4, where it states, “The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.”

Here, the Bible warns against the consequences of laziness and procrastination, emphasizing the importance of taking action and pursuing tasks with diligence.

Similarly, in Ephesians 5:15-16, believers are urged to “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time because the days are evil.”

Another version uses the phrase redeeming the time. Whenever I start using my time unwisely, this verse will come to mind.

It’s a good reminder of how precious time is and that you will never get it back so do things that have eternal significance.

And becoming a Christian entrepreneur whether it be a blogger, writer, or ecommerce owner, can all have eternal significance for the Kingdom Of God!

This verse also underscores the significance of managing time wisely and seizing opportunities rather than succumbing to procrastination.

Ultimately, while the term “procrastination” may not be explicitly mentioned in the Bible, its teachings emphasize the virtues of diligence, responsibility, and seizing the present moment—a timeless message that resonates across generations.

I want to share a short prayer for procrastination with you that you can say every day or any time you feel like you are overwhelmed by what God has in store for your life: 

Dear Lord, 

I always want to thank you for this day and all of the many blessings you have bestowed upon me and my family. I know that you have a calling on my life.

You want me to use my talents to point others to you. But I have let so many other “things” get in the way. I pray that you help me get to the spiritual root of my procrastination.

Help me break the spirit of procrastination and laziness and fear. You did not give me a spirit of fear. I know that this fear comes from my enemy. I pray for help in overcoming fear and procrastination in Jesus name.

I pray for the tools to overcome and defeat procrastination so I can use my talents to glorify you.

I thank you for answering this prayer and all of the ways you will bless others through me.

I ask all of these things in Jesus name Amen!