How many times do I become sinfully angry with a child because they need my hands-on redirection, and I don't want to walk across the room? How many times do I raise my voice when I should have just raised my bottom off the seat I was in? How often have I lost my patience when I simply didn't want to be bothered from the comfort of whatever I was doing at the time?

Let's get really honest. What are some of my greatest failings as a wife and mother?

I am quick to anger.
I yell in my anger.
I am impatient.
I want things to go the way I wanted or expected them to.

What are some traps I commonly find myself snared in?

I grow weary of being touched.
I grow weary of always pouring into everyone else, and it never seeming like enough.
I grow weary of the noise and chatter.
I grow weary of someone always needing something from me.
I grow weary of doing the same tasks, that are immediately undone, day in and day out.

And so what do these sins and these traps have in common: laziness. Put another way: I often lack the self-discipline to do what I ought to do rather than what I feel like doing.

Confession: I yell because I'm lazy. The solution isn't just as simple as "stop yelling" or "stop being lazy". But it is simple nonetheless- the good news is that we get to choose. We just need to know what we are choosing!

So yes, I'm lazy. And my laziness inclines me to focus on my own comfort, in each moment, rather than the benefit of the discipline or attention needed. My laziness tells me it's easier to stay how I am than to be reworked into a new position- a better place with a better promise. My laziness tells me that it's ok to not be an encouragement but instead to selfishly criticize.

But the real issue behind all of this is lacking the self-discipline to seek God's Presence. When I don't have the discipline to spend time with God, I walk around filled up with problems, concerns and cares, rather than being filled up with truth, goodness, and peace. When I don't require myself to seek His Presence, I also don't require myself to walk in the ways he has directed me.

What does GOD say about this laziness?

Laziness in controlling our temper and tongue: "This you know, my beloved brethren, But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger;" -James 1:19 and "He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city." Proverbs 16:32

Laziness in our work: "Whoever is lazy regarding his work is also a brother to the master of destruction." -Proverbs 18:9 and "Work hard and become a leader; be lazy and become a slave." -Proverbs 12:24

So maybe all of that steps on your toes? It does mine... especially about my laziness is making me a brother to the master of destruction (egads!). And that toe-crunching is why I have a tendency to be so undisciplined in seeking God. When I'm farthest from his presence, I am most comfortable in my sin. My enemy tells me that the sin of constantly seeking my own comfort is far better than anything God has for me when I draw near to him. But those are all lies- all lies that the laziness of my flesh wills me into believing.

The TRUTH is that God has incredible things for me on the other size of my obedience and my diligent work:

Reward for the diligent: "The diligent person will rule, but the slothful will become a slave." - Proverbs 12:24 and "I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me." -Proverbs 8:17

Diligent in prayer and attitude: "Always be joyful. Pray continually, and give thanks whatever happens. That is what God wants for you in Christ Jesus." -1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Diligent in work: "So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless." -1 Corinthians 15:58 and "Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people." -Colossians 3:23

(Scroll to the bottom for a FREE beautiful printable of those verses!)

Those are the things the enemy loathes me to even remember are promised by God. The enemy works hard to have me forget the fruit of hard work and self-forgetfulness. The fact of the matter is- he only has the power to woo me away from these beautiful promises when I've already been choosing to turn away from them on my own.

The thing about God's Promises- his peace, his strength, his JOY is that it's always found IN HIM. With HIM. Through HIM. So the only way I get it is to MEET HIM. And that, my friends, is always and forevermore the WORK in our faith.

Let's meet God today and be strengthened by his presence to do hard things. Scroll down and gain access to a BEAUTIFUL printable to help remembering this high calling.

Let us remember his exhortations:
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." - Galatians 6:9

"And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders." - Deuteronomy 6:6-8

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