Devotionals

Root Out Laziness Completely!

By novia collis · December 1, 2019 · 6 min read

When there are many things that need to be done, but you do not have the slightest motivation to start, it means laziness has taken hold of you.

There are a number of reasons why someone becomes lazy. The main factors are a lack of motivation, self-awareness, or discipline. Perhaps they are used to having everything provided for them, or they have taken examples from a bad environment. Another reason is that they are not sure that what they are doing will succeed or be beneficial. Or, they do not like the work or their situation, so they are reluctant to work. In this article, we will discuss how to overcome laziness from the first factor.

One thing is certain: laziness is not a permanent condition and can always be changed. Here are three important points you need to know to get rid of the habit of laziness.

Do Not Be Lazy: You Were Created for a Purpose

How long will you lie there, you sluggard? When will you get up from your sleep? “A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to lie down” and poverty will come on you like a robber, and want like an armed man. – Proverbs 6:9-11

When someone feels they have no purpose to pursue, they will be lazy about doing anything. Yet laziness is a character trait that God does not like. Why? Because He created you with a purpose! When you know your purpose in life, your life will be focused on one point. With that goal in place, you will be more motivated to work toward it.

Therefore I do not run aimlessly, and I am not a boxer beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, so that after preaching the gospel to others, I myself will not be disqualified. – 1 Corinthians 9:26-27

Knowing your true purpose in life can help you overcome laziness. In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul teaches us to find out clearly what our purpose is in doing something. That way, we can be wiser in deciding our next steps. Laziness leads you to things that are not good, but God’s plan leads to peace.

On the other hand, you need to examine whether your goals are right in God’s sight. Do not let yourself choose the wrong goals that end in sin. Avoid setting goals that feel “comfortable” to you because they will not help you grow. Learn from Paul, who trained himself in all things in order to reach a goal that was in line with God’s will.

Know Your Purpose

For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for peace and not for disaster, to give you a future full of hope. – Jeremiah 29:11

Having a purpose will encourage us to do our best, but not everyone knows what goal they want to achieve. Take time to reflect and get to know yourself. Learn to be more honest in seeing the things you want to pursue in life. It may be that all this time you have only been chasing something that looks good, but you are not being yourself, or it is not what you really want.

Besides that, you can also talk with trusted friends or a spiritual community. Exchange thoughts with people who love to grow and have a right purpose in life. Surely, their enthusiasm will rub off on you so that you are stirred to move forward as well.

Opportunity Does Not Come Twice

Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise: though it has no commander, overseer, or ruler, it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. – Proverbs 6:6-8

Ants know they cannot gather food in the rainy season, so they store it up long beforehand. Even though they have no leader, they have high discipline in preserving their lives. If you are someone who likes to put work off, this second point is important for you to reflect on. Opportunity does not always come twice, so make sure you do not regret it later.

As a first step, make a daily schedule. A list of activities like this will give you focus to do the things that need to be done, so that no time is wasted. When arranging your schedule, do not forget to include time to rest and relax. Remember, being lazy is different from resting. We need to take a brief pause in the middle of busyness so that our minds and bodies can be refreshed again.

Creating a schedule makes you more productive and gives you many opportunities to grow. Besides helping all your plans be carried out well, it will also train you to become a more disciplined and positive person.

Set Short-Term and Long-Term Targets

Set life targets for yourself for one year, five years, or even ten years ahead. Make sure those targets are clear and realistic to achieve. That way, you can focus on building your life instead of wasting time on things that are useless. As long as those targets build your life and are not excessive, you can certainly live a productive life.

For example, within the next year you want to work at a certain company in a certain position. Arrange a strategy to achieve it, such as making a CV, applying for jobs, building professional friendships, and so on. If you want to buy a house three years from now, save consistently starting now, or look for additional income. For those in college, if next year you want to get a scholarship or be active in a student organization, quickly look for information and complete the necessary requirements.

Not only in worldly matters, you must also avoid laziness in your spiritual life. Set a target for the next year: what kind of character do you want to develop? For example, becoming more patient, thinking more positively, or surrendering more fully to God. Ask a brother or sister, a mentor, or a friend to help and remind you as you go through the process.

For laziness that is rooted in despair, see the solution here. And, if you feel lazy to work because you do not like the situation you are in, try applying these things.

A mature person is someone who can manage and build their life. Let us learn to overcome laziness and become people who are more useful to God and to others!

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