Soulbridge Retreat

I’m reading John Eldridge’s Walking with God. He’s making the point that what we want is our “happy little life.” That’s the bargain we make with God. I’ll follow God and He won’t let any bad thing happen to me. Well, this agreement doesn’t work in this world. Part of the reason is because the world is fallen and neither we nor our lives will be perfect until we get to heaven. But the really big reason is that we keep trying to make God a means to an end! An assistant in our quest for a happy life. But happiness comes and goes with the wind. Found a great sweater on sale? I’m happy. My car makes funny noises on the way home from the mall? I’m unhappy. My bank account is good this month? I’m happy. I have an unexpected expense that drains the bank account? I’m unhappy. I have a good Sunday morning at church? I’m happy. Someone snubs me at Fellowship? I’m unhappy.

Happiness is Seriously Temporary
I mean, come on. What kind of happiness is that? And yet we keep on trying! A lot of the reason for this is the media that surrounds us. How are women portrayed to other women in commercials? Happy! Flashing smiles, glorious freedom. We’re so happy in our kitchens because our floors are freshly mopped. At work we’re the junior executive who escapes the building, pulls down our hair from its bun, and vaults into the rented convertible for a weekend on the town. Our family gatherings are wonders to behold as everyone plays and eats miraculously huge meals in the perfect park. Everyone is grinning, grinning, grinning. Even the dog is grinning.

That’s the message that we get from T.V. and women’s magazines! Why does it work? Because we want that. We want our happiness, we want our safe home, we want our families to be happy and close by as long as they don’t drive us too crazy. We are built that way. We are built to bring new life into the world and to nurture it. We are built to be sensitive, to see deeply into the meaning of things, to encourage life. We are built to care for those around us. This is who we are and it is a deeply good thing to be.

But. (You knew there was going to be a “but” didn’t you?) The truth of the matter is that we are trying to grab for happiness from health, from other’s happiness, from safe homes, from neat little personal worlds. And it ain’t going to happen. We live in a world that is headed towards death. We do not fear death. We are reborn at death, not back into the same old world but into endless glory. But we live in a war-like world and there is no getting around it.

So Where do We Find Joy?
So where do we find safety? Where do we find joy? We only find it in one place: in our Savior Jesus Christ. No matter what happens He is there. Some things He allows to happen, some things He wills to happen. And really, everything is under His sovereign will. And we do not need to be afraid. Our happiness may depend on circumstances but our joy does not, and joy trumps happiness every time. Happiness depends on everything going well at that moment in time. And you know what? It’s a good thing! When Jesus created all that wine at Cana He was encouraging a nice human party. When God created a gorgeous world He knew we would look up at the beautiful mountains and be glad. But worldly happiness is a temporary gift. It’s a lovely thing. But it is not the joy that runs deep, knowing that we are saved  forever. Our happiness is the little spring that is pretty and pleasant and good. But it may dry up in the hot summer sun or ice over in the winter’s deep cold. If we depend on that little spring then we’ve got a problem, because stuff happens in this world But the underground river – the great aquifer of joy — is not affected by the seasons above. It just keeps running wide and deep. This is the Christian’s joy.

And the only way to get it is to stop depending on other things and other people to make us happy. We are made to love the Lord our God with all our strength and with all our heart and with all our mind and with all our spirit. This is the love that leads to joy, this is the love that leads to beauty and joy forever. God is not our assistant or our enabler or our babysitter, helping us to get the stuff we think should make us happy. God is the entire reason for our being. When we seek Him first and His righteousness THEN all those things are added unto us. Blessings flow from Him. Head deeper into Christ, farther up and farther in as C.S. Lewis puts it. Head deep into your love and obedience to God. This is where blessings abound. This is where joy is found.

“Come!” answered Jesus. So Peter got out of the boat and started walking on the water to Jesus. But when he noticed the strong wind, he was afraid and started to sink down in the water. “Save me, Lord!” he cried. At once Jesus reached out and grabbed hold of him and said, “What little faith you have! Why did you doubt?” (Matt. 14:29-31)

Oh, this is me! Noticing the strong wind all the time and sinking down. Crying out for Jesus and Jesus comes! But how more blessed it would be — how much more blessed I would be — if I kept my eyes on Him and only Him, not in fear of my surroundings but in faith.Isn’t this the same message in Mark? “Peace, be still!… Why are you frightened? Do you still have no faith?” (Mark 4:39-40) Also Matt. 8:24-27!

The storms on the Sea of Galilee are horrific! The winds howl without warning down from the ravines onto the lake with terrifying force. Peter climbing out of that boat was really something! This wasn’t a few whitecaps, this was the Perfect Storm!

So here’s the thing. Peter did start in faith, and Jesus saved him even when he was afraid. But notice that Peter didn’t lose his faith completely. He still cried out to Jesus to save him, and Jesus did. But when he “noticed the strong wind” that’s when he was afraid and started to sink. It is better to keep believing by focusing on Jesus and His nature than looking at our problems and starting to sink. If we are afraid we cry out to Jesus for help and he does it, but how much more powerful it would be to walk in faith. How much stronger we would be the next time because we keep our eyes trained on Jesus and his strength He is the lord of the storm and the sea, we do not have to be afraid.

I do this all of the time! I do believe and I am constantly crying out to Jesus to save me. Why? Because pretty much all I am noticing is the strong wind! And it’s really strong! I’m not kidding, I have some serious issues. But when something is big to me it sure as heck isn’t big to God. He understands — but it isn’t threatening Him. He’s walking on the water. And if I keep my attention on Him and Him alone, then I can walk on the water too. And you know what? This isn’t just a matter of solving my problems and being blessed. It’s a matter of putting Him first in my life. Not other pleasures, not other desires, and certainly not problems. Him.

Questions
Are you:
1.    Focusing on Jesus’ face and walking on the water in spite of your problems?
2.    Sinking but crying out for Jesus’ help?
3.    Sinking and giving up the whole thing as a bad lot?

Application
In prayer, picture yourself walking on the water with Jesus beckoning you. Taste the salt water, feel the screaming wind, hear the roar of the waves. Now concentrate on Jesus’ face and Jesus’ face alone. Let your other senses fall silent. Watch Jesus hold out his hands to you, his nail-scarred hands. Close the distance looking at nothing but him. Reach out your hands and feel his strong carpenter’s hands close around yours and pull you in close.

photo credit: khrawlings

First and foremost God speaks to us through the Bible, his Word. Anytime we hear from him any other way — directly, through nature, in dreams and vision, through others — we must always put up those words against the Word. His sovereign will are revealed through the Bible and all of our listening must start and end there.

Hearing God through Scripture is the basis of everything else. It is through Word of God that we know Him, that we know what He has done for us. It is through the Word that we learn about the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We learn how to live, how and what to believe, what we hope for, who God is. The Word is the touchstone for prayer, decisions, beliefs, and plans. You cannot know God without reading His Word.

Questions

1. How often do you read the Bible?
2. Do you usually understand what you read?
3. Do you ever hear God speaking to you when you read the Bible?

Application

You can hear the Holy Spirit speaking to you through God’s Word. The key is to ask God to reveal His word to you. When you read, slow down and read carefully and prayerfully. A word, phrase or verse will seem to jump out at you. Stop there, re-read it and ask God what He wants to tell you. Write the verse down and revisit it throughout the day. Learn more about lectio divina or “divine reading” here: “Lectio Divina: The Art of Divine Reading” and “Lectio How-To’s.”

I’m talking about a hard subject today – suffering. My church is suffering a recent spate of serious illnesses. That is not the only suffering on our congregation or in the world. The loss of husbands and children, the loss of children to certain lifestyles. Mental illness. Lifelong struggles against addiction to drugs, alcohol, food, or porn. Losing jobs and homes, physical violence on the battlefield or in the home.

This is a darkened world! God created this world, is in this world, and will renew this world. But the Fall of Man was a terrible fall, so terrible that God himself chose to die to save the world.

Because in the same way that many of us are struggling with serious illness, the world is sick too. And it’s not just us who are sick, so is physical creation. There are people who love the beautiful parts of this earth so much that they have taken to worshiping it as a goddess. They call it Gaia, Mother Nature, the goddess who is the world. But when your mother goes around tossing earthquakes, tornadoes, and floods at you then you’ve kind of got to wonder about that kind of god. And you can see right away why the ancient worship of Ashtoreth and other nature gods involved a lot of prayers and sacrifices so the god wouldn’t smite you.

No, the world is not a mother goddess. And it hasn’t been abandoned by the true God either. There is still such beauty and love in the world. And there is meaning and purpose right through the pain. And although Satan may be the prince of this world, God is still its master and the world knows him.

On the evening of that same day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go across to the other side of the lake.” So they left the crowd; the disciples got into the boat in which Jesus was already sitting, and they took him with them. Other boats were there too.

Suddenly a strong wind blew up, and the waves began to spill over into the boat, so that it was about to fill with water. Jesus was in the back of the boat, sleeping with his head on a pillow. The disciples woke him up and said, “Teacher, don’t you care that we are about to die?” Jesus stood up and commanded the wind, “Be quiet!” and he said to the waves, “Be still!” The wind died down, and there was a great calm. Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Why are you frightened? Do you still have no faith?” But they were terribly afraid and began to say to one another, “Who is this man? Even the wind and the waves obey him!” (Mark 4:35-41)

See, here is the thing. There is suffering in this world. And unless your name is Elijah and Enoch, you’re going to die someday. But here is the great thing. God is always standing this world on its head, because we look at suffering and death and think about how awful it all is. And it is. It wasn’t meant to be this way. But God comes along and says things like “Come to me, all you who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Mt. 11:29-30)

Why does he say things like that? Two reasons:

1.    God brings goodness and salvation out of suffering.
2.    This life can be hard but it is short!

I’m going to talk more in coming weeks about the first thing – how God brings goodness and salvation out of suffering. This type of study is called a “theology of suffering,” understanding how and why even Christians suffer in this world. Today I’m just going to touch on it with someone else’s words that deeply affected me.

From a devotional by F.B. Meyer:

Let us accept our limitations as from the Will of God. There is no way to peace or power, save in accepting the Will of God, making no distinction between what He appoints or permits, but believing that in either we are in contact with the Eternal purpose for us. Paul never forgot that he was the prisoner of Jesus Christ. He believed that for every limitation on the earthward side there would be enlargement on the other and spiritual side. Weakness here, added strength there; the being hourly delivered unto the cross, and from the ground the blossoming of endless life.

Let us do all the good we can in spite of fetters. St. Paul could not continue his travels over the world, but there were many avenues of service open to him. He could pray, and he did (Col_1:3; Col_2:1; Col_4:12). He could influence others (Phi_1:11-14). He employed his leisure in writing the epistles that have been the perennial solace of sorrowful hearts. There is a door, nearer to you than you think, opening out of your prison, through which God will enable you to render helpful service for Him.

When Paul suffered physically he prayed to the Lord to take it away. And he was not wrong to pray! God does heal. But most importantly, God does what is best. And healing isn’t always it.

Three times I prayed to the Lord about this and asked him to take it away. But his answer was: “My grace is all you need, for my power is greatest when you are weak.” I am most happy, then, to be proud of my weaknesses, in order to feel the protection of Christ’s power over me. I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and difficulties for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Cor. 12:8-10)

Now let me explain the 2nd thing – that life is short. We say this as part of a clichéd saying. “Life is too short to do thus-and-such” – i.e., life is too short to worry, life is too short to not have fun, life is too short to decide not to play. And even though most of these sayings are devoted to physical pleasure, there is a lot of truth to it. This life is quite short in the light of eternity!

Mind you it’s important. God created this life, this world. This is where we make our decisions towards or against Christ and eternal life. This is where we live out God’s purpose for us, which apparently continues and expands in the life beyond this. This is where we form a relationship with God that lasts forever. This life is extremely important and the decisions we make here will decide how we spend eternity!

But the other thing is also true – in light of eternity, the amount of time we spend on this earth – even 100 years or more – is very, very short. It feels long because we’re in the middle of it and we have little point of comparison. This life is all we know. But when you are in the midst of suffering, please know two things: first, that your suffering matters. Jesus suffered too and really, truly knows what it is. He loves you and understands and is with you, and will use it for your good. And second, that none of this really lasts very long. Look to the end of life, not in a morbid or depressed way but in hope. Because ultimately, when life ends, those of us who believe will step into light and glory and joy and beauty forever. But we must stand.

God does not sulk around or let His children cry in the dark looking for Him. Is that what Love does? No it is not. What He does is ask us to listen for Him in a myriad ways. A flower reminds us of Him. We see Him in the faces of our Christian friends and family. We see Him in the joy of work well done and of relaxing afterwards in front of the fire. All good things are from the Father above. We hear Him in a Bible story that reminds us of something or gives us new insight. We hear Him in circumstances. We hear Him in the memories of our lives. And sometimes we hear Him directly, but these other things speak of Him, speak from Him, even in the dark. And when He doesn’t show up? Then something better is coming. Look at Martha: “Lord, if you had been here my brother would not have died!” But when Jesus did come then something better happened. The same thing with the Crucifixion itself! Jesus sure came back, didn’t He? I guess!

The Still, Small Voice

As we learn to listen in all circumstances and in all ways, our faith grows. We are stronger. We are exercising our faith muscle, our spiritual ones. And don’t make any mistake: we are war. My son and I were watching a T.V. show – House – where one of the characters said that God often lets His chosen ones suffer. The T.V. doctor was appalled, but I turned to Alex and said, “You know, that’s true. We’re being trained to fight, and that takes work and sacrifice. But it’s worth it.” Suffering in this world is like spiritual bootcamp and military campaigns. Not everyone wants to hear this, but it’s true. This world  is one giant spiritual battle! Learning to listen to God in a variety of circumstances, people, and ways builds our strength and lets us hear God over the enemy’s jamming signals. We are strong in Christ!

The four gospels collectively report seven “words” (phrases) that Christ spoke from the cross. The words differ between the four gospels but this is neither surprising nor alarming: if you get four people to watch the same event, then you will get a general agreement on what happened but four different perspectives. God inspired human beings to write his Word down but he is also gracious to work within our humanity, and so each gospel writer brings a true yet different perspective to the same event.

Matthew and Mark report “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” or “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:4 and Mark 15:34). This saying is a direct quote from Psalm 22:1 and represents the first time ever – and I do mean ever! – that God the Son was separated from God the Father. Even in Jesus’ human lifetime he and his Father had been in perfect communion. But now the weight of the world’s sins has temporarily slammed the door between Jesus and the Godhead.

Luke reports three sayings beginning with the great “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). His words are incredibly gracious, asking his Father to forgive the mob that turned against him and even now screamed for his torture and death. Yet he loved them anyway – just like he loves us, for how often do we turn away from him too?

The second saying in Luke is “I promise you that today you will be with me in Paradise,” (Luke 23:43). Two thieves were being crucified with Christ, one on his left and the other on his right. One of the thieves was joining in with the mocking crowd below, saying terrible things. It sounds ridiculous that a man would do this since he was hanging on a cross himself, but it was demonic hatred that was infecting the crowd of both Jews and Gentiles that day. But the second thief yelled at the first to “Shut up!” He said that they deserved what they were going through but Jesus did not. This thief then turned to Christ and asked him to remember the poor thief when Christ came into his kingdom. Jesus told the thief that he would be with Him this very day in heaven.

Luke reports the third saying as “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit” (Luke 23:46). This tells us that in spite of the severed felt connection between Jesus and the Father, Jesus knew that his Father was there and that the Trinity would be restored. Jesus knew exactly what he was doing, and that he would live again.

John adds three sayings; two of them very human comments that make me feel even closer to Christ, who is both fully divine and fully human.

The first saying is “Woman, behold your son!” followed by “Behold your mother!” (John 19:26-27) When Jesus saw his mother standing near the cross with other faithful women and John the Beloved Disciple, Jesus cared enough in his extreme suffering to put his mother into John’s care. John was faithful; from that hour he took her unto his own home.

The second saying was the simple (or was it?) “I thirst.” There is little doubt that he was thirsty. Dehydration hurried the crucifixion victim’s dying process along, which was just as well for all concerned. But Jesus was also fulfilling the Messianic prophecy from Psalm 69:21: “They gave me poison for food, and for my thirst they gave me sour wine to drink.” By saying he was thirsty, he prompted the Roman guards to give him sour wine — thereby fulfilling this prophecy.

John’s third saying, and the seventh and last in the gospels, is the triumphant “It is finished!” (John 19:30). With Jesus’ last words his suffering was finished. He still descended into death but within days he would rise again, alive again forever… and us with him.

Questions

• Does it bother you that the gospels report different sayings? Why or why not?
• The Passion fulfills several OT prophecies. Can you find related prophecies from Psalms, Isaiah, and other OT passages?

Exercise: Psalm 22

Jesus quoted the opening line of Psalm 22, and this psalm has additional verses that prophesy Crucifixion events. Read Psalm 22 and discuss the passages that apply. Note that Jesus himself fulfilled some of them but others were fulfilled by other people’s actions (look at 22:18).

Exercise: Imaging Prayer

Pass out copies of The Seven Last Sayings of Jesus:

1. “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”
2. “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.”
3. “Truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise.”
4. “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.”
5. “Woman, behold your son. [John], behold your mother.”
6. “I am thirsty.”
7. “It is finished!”

Ask your group to prayerfully consider which of these sayings God wants them to pray. Let the group go into silent prayer, either imaging prayer at the Cross or speaking privately to God. Afterwards, people may share as they feel led. God will work powerfully!

photo credit: JWNOWSIn Romans 4:17b Paul writes of Abraham, “He is our father in the sight of God in whom he believed – the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were.”

1. “The God who gives life to the dead” – Resurrection
2. “Calls things that are not as though they were” – Creation

In this verse, both resurrection and creation exist in the context of the promises of God. Specifically “gives life to the dead” refers to Abraham’s old body and Sarah’s dead womb (v. 19). “calls things that are not as though they were” is the name God gave him – “Abraham,” the father of many nations. Even though he didn’t have a son yet with Sarah!

What then is the message? It is the power of faith, of believing that God can give life to that which has died, and can create that which does not exist. Read verse 20: “Yet Abraham did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.”

Through believing and faithful prayer, we too experience both resurrection and creation in our lives. They are closely aligned in that each produces new life: resurrection by bringing new life to the dead, and creation by giving life to something new.

Believe me, I know how sharp unanswered prayer can be. But is it unanswered? I don’t think so. Here is an example. I have had serious conflicts with the IRS. That is NOT fun, believe me. I ended up owing them a great deal of money, and I thought that the only way out was to go for an Offer in Compromise. I prayed intensely that I would get it, because I knew I qualified. Others prayed intensely that I would get it. And I came so very, very close – and then it was denied. I was devastated because I had no idea how I was going to pay that huge tax bill, which the IRS said was too large to make installment payments on. They reconsidered, but the monthly installment payments they demanded were so large they have driven me out of my home. What was I going to do?

I was going to pray. And so I did. I trusted God that He would take care of me. And what happened was better than the OIC would have been. The IRS miraculously granted me an installment payment plan of a small amount each month, the only thing I could afford. My tax consultant was shocked that they offered it to me, but I knew why they did. Praise God!

As it turns out, the payment plan was immensely better than having to come up with significant OIC payments that I could not have afforded anyway. So the specifics that I asked for – the OIC – were not granted. I trusted God anyway, and He ended up giving me what I actually needed – a workable way to pay off that large debt.  I believe it happened because I was confused over why God did not grant my original prayer, but I did not lose faith. I believe that He would act. And He did, in power – even though the situation rose out of my own mistakes and bad choices!

When we are interceding and petitioning God, think about the things we are asking for. Is it bringing life to the dead? A shattered relationship, lost job, a failed dream? Or is it asking for something to be created? Salvation for a loved one, a new ministry, a baby? We may ask for both of these things. The key is to believe. And even when our specific prayer seems to go unanswered, keep right on believing.

Believe. Pray – and believe.

“Success literature” refers to how-to-be-successful books and articles. The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Think and Grow Rich! How to Win Friends and Influence People. Who Moved My Cheese? It’s a popular topic! Do a search on Amazon for books with the keyword “success” and you’ll have to plow through a list of 384,515. Yes, that’s right – six figures, and that number is going up by the day.

Some success literature is based on good psychological principles and can be helpful, so I’m not knocking the entire genre. But success literature cannot be a primary tool of transformation for the Christian. Why? Because classic success literature starts in the middle with the wrong theme.

Their primary theme is: “What you do.” What you do to make money… to be healthy… to be loved… to be respected… to be promoted… to matter.

Some character-driven success literature has a better start by beginning with character, the “Who you are” question. Steven Covey’s classic “7 Habits” material falls into this category. This literature starts with “Who you are,” positing that character informs and develops “What you do.” They’re right as far as it goes.

But for Christians, our “success literature” always start with the Bible and its central them: “Who God is.” When we know God – when we love Christ and accept Him as our savior – then we know “Who we are” and then “What we do.”

Everything good and healthy springs from our relationship to God.

“Seek first the kingdom of God, and then all of these things will be added until you.” (Mt. 6:33)

When we know Him we will grow in Him and develop His characteristics, such as faith, hope and love and the fruits of the Spirit.

“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” (1 Cor 13:13)

And when we love and serve God, and our character is changing to reflect His, that is when we can hear and do His will. We will know His purpose for our lives.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jer. 29:11).

Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 37:4)

Just like everyone else in the world, Christians are busy with work, family, church, sports, hobbies, you name it. But all too often our busyness lacks a sense of God’s leading and will. We want to know God’s plan for our lives, but we secretly (or not so secretly!) think our dreams and desires don’t matter to Him.

But they do.

But God has a plan for your life. And that plan includes what you want to do. It includes the deepest desires of your heart. Sometimes we express these desires in ways that don’t help fulfill them. Just because you’re longing for a bigger house doesn’t mean that’s your deep desire. Your deep desire may be a need for inner space, for order, for beauty. That’s the desire God knows and wants to fulfill.

That’s not to say that a bigger house isn’t something you need! When we brought our new baby home to a tiny two-bedroom house, I knew what we needed! So did God, and He provided for us.

But the main focus is the deep desires, the good desires, the true desires of your heart. That’s what God works to fulfill in you, and what He wants your help to do. God’s Word has a lot to say about that kind of desire:

May He give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. (Psalm 20:4)

You [God] have granted him the desire of his heart and have not withheld the request of his lips. (Psalm 21:2)

You open your hand and satisfy the desires of every living thing. (Psalm 145:16)

[God] satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. (Ps. 103:5)

He fulfills the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cry and saves them. (Psalm 145:19)

These are the deep desires that God truly honors:

I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart. (Psalm 40:8)

Whom have I in heaven but You? And earth has nothing I desire besides You. (Psalm 73:25)

They were glad when it grew calm, and He guided them to their desired haven. (Psalm 107:30)

She [wisdom] is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. (Proverbs 3:15)

The desire of the righteous ends only in good, but the hope of the wicked only in wrath. (Proverbs 11:23)

The sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied. (Proverbs 13:4)

Yes, LORD, walking in the way of Your laws, we wait for You; Your name and renown are the desire of our hearts. (Isaiah 26:8)

But eagerly desire the greater gifts. And now I will show you the most excellent way. (1 Corinthians 12:31)

Last year you were the first not only to give but also to have the desire to do so. (2 Corinthians 8:10)

Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task. (1 Timothy 3:1)

Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way. (Hebrews 13:18)

Believe me, I am a world-class procrastinator. Just as it’s important to me to work hard (and pray hard!) at stopping this behavior, it’s important that you do too. Unlike money, the time we spend can never be recovered. It’s vitally important to use and manage our time wisely.

Procrastination is a huge time waster. When we continue to procrastinate, a lot oo our purpose goes unrealized. This is a tragedy!

It can be hard to break procrastination because it is a behavior learned early in life and is hard wired into our subconscious mind. But it can be done. To break the habit of procrastination, start doing a task at hand immediately. When there is something that needs to be done, start doing it right away. Do not wait until you are “in the mood” for doing it…that time will most likely never come.

Starting to do things immediately will effectively break the old habit of procrastination. You can start with the easy tasks and finish these first. Once the easy tasks are out of the way, you will start to feel good about your accomplishments and this will spark your mood to do more.

Don’t aim for perfection when doing the task at hand. Perfection is God’s job. What matters most is getting started and then you can gain momentum to finish the bigger jobs ahead. Always pursuing perfection is a waste of your time and effort.

Write down your plan. It is very effective to have a daily plan because you can see which things are most important and which need to be addressed immediately. By writing down your plan, you can be more productive and actually save time by not doing the unnecessary and/or less important tasks.

And be sure when writing down your plan to make a schedule of what you will be doing for the entire day. This should include all the activities that you will do from the beginning to the end of the day.

Finally, set a deadline for your planned activities, making sure that you can finish the job at hand within the established time frame. Don’t let a few small failures along the way derail your plan. Put procrastination where it belongs…under your feet!