Breaking Free From Procrastination

 “Delayed obedience is disobedience.”

-Rabbi Greg Hershberg

Suggested Reading: Genesis 19

For many years, I accepted procrastination as a normal part of life, a branch on my vine. I grew up in a culture where arrival times were suggestions, not commitments. I was never taught how to manage my time or set priorities, and focusing felt nearly impossible.  As a result, I left many projects unfinished and abandoned dreams along the way, largely because of my struggles with ADD tendencies. The excuses I used to justify my procrastination were endless.

The truth is, I never considered procrastination to be a sin, until I heard Rabbi Greg Hershberg exhort that even in the smallest of duties the Lord has given us, delayed obedience is disobedience.

Procrastination is willfully putting off something you are supposed to do. It leads to broken promises, a lack of diligence, and missed opportunities.  It’s a sneaky sin, robbing me of blessings and delaying my steps into what God was calling me to do. It caused destruction in my life. Procrastination was a siren I ignored, one that was warning me about deeper heart issues and other sins I was avoiding.

📖 We see the danger of procrastination clearly in the story of Lot, as God saves him from the judgment and destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Before Lot received his warning to leave, God revealed that sin had reached its limit. Lot invited the men (who would ultimately warn him) into his home, only to have the men of the city demand:

“Bring them out to us so that we may have relations with them.” (Genesis 19:5)  The men, believed to be angels, intervened striking the mob with blindness. Then came the clear instruction:

“Whom else have you here? A son-in-law, your sons, and your daughters, and whomever you have in the city, bring them out of the place; for we are about to destroy this place.” (Genesis 19:12)

At first, Lot responded quickly and warned his sons-in-law, but they thought he was joking. Could their reaction have influenced Lot to doubt the urgency of God’s message? Did their disbelief cause him to question God’s messengers? For whatever reason, Lot went to sleep instead of leaving immediately.  Even so, God’s mercy prevailed the next morning, the angels physically seized Lot’s hand and dragged him and his family out of the city.

Like Lot, I too have been given clear instructions from God that I either doubted, ignored, or delayed acting on. But after hearing Rabbi Hershberg’s words, and with God’s help, I’ve started surrendering my excuses to uncover the areas where procrastination is wreaking havoc.

Relationships
People-pleasing caused me to put others’ needs ahead of the priorities God gave me. I overcommitted to people and activities.

I avoided confronting offenses because I hated the messiness of resolving conflict. But ignoring those issues only strained relationships further and robbed both parties of the chance to mature through biblical conflict resolution.

Excuses
“This is just how I am.”
“I was never taught.”
“I’m not good at this.”

These phrases became my security blanket. Although they carried some truth, they also kept me from believing that through the power of the Holy Spirit and the wisdom of God I could break free from procrastination.

Lack of Discipline
“All discipline for the moment seems not to be joyful, but sorrowful.” (Hebrews 12:11)

It’s humbling to allow God to continually show me the areas where I lack discipline: caring for my health, managing my time, handling my emotions, and learning to complete tasks before indulging in recreation.

Procrastination may seem harmless, but it produces chaos, overwhelm, discouragement, and relational strain. It has delayed blessings in my physical life, my relationships, and kept me from taking action on what God was calling me to do.  Breaking free from procrastination started with repentance and seeking help when it shows up in my life.

❓Reflection Questions

1. Do I have a clear vision for my life and defined priorities?

2. What decisions or tasks, big or small, have I delayed?

3. In which area of my life am I most prone to procrastinate: home, relationships, work, or health?

4. What consequences or missed opportunities have I already experienced because of procrastination?

5. What’s at the root of my procrastination?

6. What excuses have I used to avoid growing in this area?

🙏🏻 Prayer

Lord, I thank You for Your Word that brings blessing into my life and keeps me from destruction. I repent for the areas where I have allowed procrastination to wreak havoc. I don’t want procrastination to cause me to miss out on what You want to give me or to delay Your will for my life. Please give me a clear vision and clarity about my priorities so I don’t fall into the trap of procrastination. I submit my plans to You and ask You to order my days. In Jesus’ name, Amen.