What Makes Self-improvement Challenging?

Novelist Patrick White penned these words, “Few people take easily to a plan of self-improvement.” We will discover procrastination attempting to dislodge our commitment to accomplish what we know needs to be done. Self-improvement is an easy target for procrastination.

So many individuals in their thirties and forties discover they’re no longer satisfied with their work or career. It fails to provide the joy and fulfillment of earlier days. Because they are fearful of new challenges or even failure, self-improvement opportunities are delayed.

The Lord Jesus Christ did not come into the world to save perfect people. He came because all people are imperfect and blemished. Nor does he expect you to be perfect after you have been redeemed. God wants you to be in the process of maturing, to trust him for faith to stretch the limits of who you are. You don’t have to be perfect to be loved by God or for the Holy Spirit’s power to help you mature. 

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We receive from him whatever we ask because we [carefully and consistently] keep his commandments and do the things that are pleasing in his sight [seeking habitually to follow his plan for us]. This is his commandment, that we believe [with personal faith and confident trust] in the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and [that we unselfishly] love and seek what is best for one another, just as he commanded us. 

~1 John 3:22-23  Amplified Bible

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What Is Needed to Repair Broken Promises?

Are you putting into practice the changes you promised to make so you would be free from all guilt and shame for delaying to complete a task? You may be someone who has learned the art of procrastination, meaning you put off until later what could be done now.

The procrastinator wants to wait until everything is perfect to begin a task. If you’re a perfectionist who needs everything to be predictable, that expectation may be out of bounds.

Have you made promises to God and others but failed to keep your promise?

Deuteronomy 23:21 has this to say about forsaking promises: “When you make a vow to the Lord, be prompt in doing whatever you promised; it’s a sin not to.” One step in overcoming procrastination is to promptly do whatever you promise. It doesn’t have to be done perfectly. Pray for strength of character to do it.

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We don’t enjoy being disciplined. It always seems to cause more pain than joy. But later on, those who learn from that discipline have peace that comes from doing what is right.

~Hebrews 12:11 God’s Word Translation

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What Renders Worry Powerless?

Procrastination can become a habit, a way of life, because it is linked to worry and feelings of insecurity. Worry can be a stumbling block to achieving a goal by obsessing about what might go wrong or of failure. Jesus asked, “Why worry? God provides for the birds. How much more will he provide for you?”

Worry distorts the power of an inanimate object or person, which then empowers procrastination. Seneca, the first century Roman philosopher noted, “He will suffer more than necessary who suffers before it is needed.” Wisdom teaches us never to meet trouble halfway but to render it impotent by eliminating it.

Listen to the Apostle Paul’s advice. “Don’t worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God your needs and thank him for his answers.” The solution to procrastination and worry is trust God’s plan for you. Trust that God is on your side, and he will supply whatever your needs are at this moment.  

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Oh, praise the Lord, for he has listened to my pleadings! He is my strength, my shield from every danger. I trusted in him and he helped me. Joy rises in my heart until I burst out in songs of praise to him.

~Psalm 28:6-7 The Living Bible

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