Your Daily Devotional :
Formerly Known As The Procrastinating Perfectionist

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Hey there, my fabulous friend!

I have a confession to make - yours truly hit the pillow at a whopping 1 AM last night! I know, I know, not exactly the ideal bedtime for a productive week. But hold up, let me explain what went down. Today, I'm dashing off to Nashville for my church's winter retreat, and you know how it goes - I had to get my hair situation back on point before hitting the road. Plus, I had to wait until Elle was in bed before tackling a bunch of tasks, like building out some email sequences, creating my new strategy offer, and cancelling a few business subscriptions.

Now, don't get me wrong, there's a silver lining here. I can proudly say I managed to check off a few of those lingering tasks from my never-ending to-do list. However, upon reflection, I realized I could've done a way better job with my time management yesterday.

The story of the 5 talents is found in the Bible, specifically in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus teaches about the kingdom of heaven using the analogy of a man going on a journey, who entrusted his servants with his property. To one servant, he gave five talents, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to their ability.

The first two servants with five and two talents respectively invested and traded with the money, and they were able to double the amount they had been entrusted with. When the master returned, he commended and rewarded these two servants for their faithfulness and diligence. However, the servant who had received one talent buried it in the ground out of fear and returned only the original amount to his master. The master was displeased with this servant's lack of initiative and called him wicked and lazy. The one talent he had was taken away and given to the servant who had ten talents.

This story teaches us the importance of stewardship, which is using the resources and abilities that God has given us wisely and productively.

I'm going to use my time away at the winter retreat to dive deep into being a better steward and come up with a better plan. You better believe I'll be bringing my issues with procrastination to God's attention. He knows I need a little extra help in that department!

In the midst of all this, something quite eye-opening was revealed to me - the spirit of delay is like the puppet master of procrastination. Every time we let time slip through our fingers, show up late, or put things off till the last minute, we're actually giving in to the influence of the spirit of delay. And trust me, that's a sneaky little demon we want to avoid like the plague.

Here's another interesting tidbit - I've noticed a wave of creators speaking up about the spiritual side of procrastination. It's like we're all under attack by the enemy, facing this common struggle in our generation. Now that we're aware of what's going on, the question is, how do we move forward?

Here's a few pointers to boost your productivity sky-high.

1. Seek God's Guidance: Before diving into your daily tasks, start by seeking guidance from the Big Guy upstairs. Spend some time in prayer, asking God to lead and direct your steps. Trust me, when you align your plans with His, you'll find a peace and clarity that will set you on the path to productivity success.
2. Prioritize Like Jesus: Remember when Jesus was asked what the greatest commandment was? He didn't hesitate - it was all about loving God with all your heart and loving your neighbor as yourself. Apply this principle to your to-do list by focusing on tasks that align with God's will and serve others. Prioritize tasks that honor Him and contribute to the well-being of those around you.
3. Embrace Rest and Sabbath: Did you know that even God took a break on the seventh day? He knew the importance of rest and rejuvenation. Don't underestimate the power of taking regular breaks and honoring the concept of Sabbath. Resting allows you to recharge your batteries, refocus your mind, and ultimately be more productive in the long run.
4. Embrace Discipline: Just like an athlete trains to reach their goals, we need to develop discipline in our productivity journey. Remember the scripture that says, "Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it" (1 Corinthians 9:24). Let's run this race of productivity with discipline and determination, knowing that our efforts will lead to fruitful results.
5. Practice Time Management: Time is a precious gift from God, and it's our responsibility to steward it well. Set clear goals, create schedules, and manage your time intentionally. Avoid time-wasting activities that distract you from your purpose. Remember, every minute counts, so make the most of the time you have been given.
6. Lean on the Power of Prayer: In times of stress, overwhelm, or facing challenging tasks, turn to prayer. Seek God's strength and wisdom, asking Him to equip you for the tasks ahead. Remember, you don't have to do it all on your own - lean on His divine power to guide and support you every step of the way.
7. Celebrate Progress, Not Perfection: Sometimes, we can get caught up in the pursuit of perfection, which can actually hinder our productivity. Instead, celebrate the progress you make, no matter how small. Remember, God doesn't expect perfection from us, He simply wants us to do our best. So, give yourself some grace, my friend, and celebrate each step forward you take.

Remember, God has equipped you with everything you need to thrive, so go out there.

Before we wrap this up, let's take a moment to pray.

Dear Abba, Pater (Father), bless your daughter Reader with an abundance of mercy and grace as she starts her day with a focus on you and the assignment you've given her. May she let go of the grief of the pass and step into your holy presence. Let her experience your loving-kindness and know that you have steadfast love for her. Help her trust in the fact that Jesus Christ died for her sins and that God has saved her by HIS grace.

Grant her the grace she needs to break those stubborn habits so she can live peacefully in your ways. Reveal to her the assignment you have given her to fulfill the Great Commission. Show her during prayer that when she works diligently to pursue you and do good works, she'll hear those amazing words: "Well done, my good and faithful servant" when it's time to stand in front of her Father.

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