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July 3, 2025 17 mins

Find the full episode here > PaulaBehrens.com/blog

Procrastination often disguises itself as busyness, perfectionism, or waiting for the "right time," but beneath these excuses lies a deeper spiritual battle for your purpose and calling. This eye-opening episode reveals how even the smallest delays can derail God's plans for your life and provides biblical strategies to break free from this cycle.

Drawing wisdom from Proverbs 6, we examine the humble ant—a creature with no supervisor yet profound purpose and discipline. What if Christians approached God-given assignments with this same internal motivation rather than waiting for external accountability or validation? The ant teaches us that true wisdom doesn't require constant oversight but responds to divine purpose with consistent action.

The perfectionism trap gets exposed through Ecclesiastes 11:4, where we learn that "whoever watches the wind will not plant." How many ministries never launch, testimonies remain unshared, and callings go unanswered because we're waiting for flawless conditions that will never arrive? God honors motion—even imperfect steps—over perpetual preparation and planning. Your messy first attempt matters more than your perfect intentions.

Most powerfully, we discover in 2 Timothy 1:7 that self-discipline isn't something we manufacture through willpower but a spiritual gift already dwelling within believers. Procrastination isn't your identity; it's a temporary behavior that contradicts the spirit of power God has given you. By reframing everyday tasks as acts of worship and incorporating practical tools like essential oils for focus and clarity, you can transform resistance into reverence.

Ready to move from delay to divine purpose? Take one faithful step today. Whether it's that ministry idea, spiritual practice, or God-prompted project you've been postponing—delay only makes the journey longer. Book your personalized Aroma of Christ Coaching Hour at paulabehrens.com/coaching and discover how to craft a devotional routine that fits your life and empowers consistent action aligned with God's calling.

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Episode Transcript

Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Paula Behrens (00:01):
Are you tired of putting things off, even the
things you know God is callingyou to do?
What if procrastination isn'tjust a time management issue but
a spiritual battle for yourpurpose?
In today's episode, we'reexposing the lies that keep you
stuck and uncovering thepowerful biblical truth that can
break the cycle ofprocrastination.
If you're ready to trade delayfor direction, this is the

(00:23):
episode you've been waiting for.
When I first began my seminarywork while serving two church
congregations full-time,everyone assumed I had my daily
devotional time perfectlyorganized, but, truth be told,
there were mornings I couldbarely find five minutes to
catch my breath, let alone diveinto deep reflection.
One day, as I rushed out thedoor with mismatched shoes, I

(00:47):
realized that even in my chaosthere was a lesson.
Embracing God's grace andself-forgiveness, I realized
that true success in mydevotional life requires
prioritizing my spiritualpractices.
Are you finding it challengingto maintain your spiritual
practices or yearning for a morepeaceful God-aligned day.
I'm Paula and I've been theretoo.

(01:09):
Balancing spiritual habits witha busy life can be difficult.
I longed for a deeperconnection with God, but
struggled with consistency.
Then I found the perfectapproach.
If you seek simple ways todeepen your connection with God,
this podcast is for you.
Hey friend, I know what it'slike to feel far from God, even

(01:31):
when you're doing all the rightthings.
You're showing up, you'repraying, you're reading the
Bible, but inside somethingfeels disconnected.
You wonder if you're doingenough, if God is even listening
.
You feel a little ashamed thatyour quiet time isn't what it
used to be or what you hoped itwould be.
Well, I want you to know you'renot alone and you're not

(01:52):
failing.
God isn't asking you forperfection.
He's just asking for yourpresence.
That's what the Aroma of ChristCoaching Hour is all about, no
pressure, no performance, justpresence.
Let me walk with you into aslower, spirit-led devotional
routine that will help youreconnect with the One who's
been waiting to refresh yoursoul all along.

(02:14):
Now's the time to say yes topeace, to say yes to presence.
Book your Aroma of ChristCoaching Hour at paulabehrens.
com/ coaching.
That's Paula BehrensB-E-H-R-E-N-S .
com/ coaching (no spaces).
A ll right, it's time to getstarted.

(02:35):
Grab your Bible, dust off yourjournal and cozy up to your
favorite beverage and let's divein.
Are you ready to reclaim yourtime, purpose and focus?
Let's begin by learning fromone of God's smallest teachers.
Proverbs, chapter 6, verses 6through 8, says, Go to the ant

(02:56):
you sluggard.
Consider its ways and be wise.
It has no commander, nooverseer or ruler, yet it stores
its provisions in summer andgathers its food at harvest.
There's something incrediblyhumbling about being told to
learn from a creature as smalland seemingly insignificant as
an ant.
Yet here, in the Wisdomliterature of the Bible, God

(03:18):
calls our attention to the dailydiscipline of this tiny insect.
Let's take a closer look.
The ant has no supervisor, noschedule dictated by someone
else, no visible accountabilitysystem, and yet it is never idle
.
It prepares, it stores, itmoves with purpose, it has
foresight, instinctive wisdomand, perhaps most notably, it

(03:42):
doesn't wait to be told what todo.
What a powerful model this is.
How often do we rely ondeadlines or some sort of
external pressure to move usinto action?
How many God-given assignments,ideas or even ministries have
been delayed as we wait forsomething to push us forward
like validation from others?
The writer of Proverbs 6reminds us that a wise heart

(04:07):
doesn't wait for externalpressure, but instead it
responds to an internal purpose.
Let's be honest most of usdon't have someone looking over
our shoulder asking if we prayedtoday, followed up with that
idea God placed in our hearts,finished that blog post, studied
the Bible or moved on thatministry plan.
We're adults, we're in chargeof our time, but just because no

(04:31):
one's checking in doesn't meanwe're using our time wisely.
Like the ant, we're called tobe self-motivated stewards of
our time.
That project God placed on yourheart, that's your harvest
field, that spiritual disciplineyou've been postponing for a
less busy day, that's yourprovision store.
It's time to stop waiting for apush and start moving forward

(04:55):
with a purpose.
Ask yourself, what task have Ibeen delaying simply because no
one's expecting it from me?
And then put your faith intopractice.
Set one goal each day that noone knows about but you and God.
Write it down so you don'tforget it and then complete it
as an act of obedience.

(05:16):
In Ecclesiastes, chapter 11,verse 4 we hear, Whoever watches
the wind will not plant.
Whoever looks at the cloudswill not reap.
This Old Testament book isoften called the book of life's
realities, and this verse getsright to the point.
Waiting for perfect conditionswill leave you frozen and not

(05:36):
able to go forward.
Let's paint the picture.
A farmer watches the wind,wondering if it's too strong to
sow.
He studies the clouds,uncertain whether rain is coming
.
In doing so, he never getsaround to actually planting.
The irony?
The fear of uncertainty becomesthe very thing that guarantees

(05:57):
unfruitfulness.
That's what is at the heart ofprocrastination.
Perfectionism andprocrastination are twin thieves
.
They rob us of forward momentumand spiritual obedience.
We think we're being wise orcautious, waiting for the
perfect time, but often we'remasking our fears, insecurity

(06:19):
and maybe even a lack of faith.
Here are a few real-lifeexamples.
You don't start that ministrybecause your Master of Divinity
degree isn't finished.
You don't begin journalingbecause your notebook isn't
pretty enough.
You don't launch your blogbecause you think your writing
skills aren't perfect yet.
You hesitate to join aChristian group because you feel

(06:40):
you don't know enough about theBible.
You delay sharing your faithtestimony because you're worried
it's not dramatic enough.
Let me lovingly say this.
If you wait for flawlessconditions, you will wait
forever.
The winds of doubt and cloudsof fear will always blow across
the sky of your purpose.

(07:01):
You must plant anyway.
Ask yourself, what if I toldmyself I can't start until
everything is just right, thentake one messy, imperfect step.
God honors motion.
If you don't think you're wiseenough, ask God for wisdom.
James, chapter 1, verse 5reminds us, if any of you lacks

(07:23):
wisdom, you should ask God, whogives generously to all, without
finding fault, and it will begiven to you.
We often think procrastinationis purely about laziness, but in
reality it can stem fromconfusion, uncertainty or
overwhelm.
When the next step isn't clearor when the to-do list feels

(07:43):
impossibly long, our default isto do nothing.
We freeze, hoping clarity willeventually strike.
But James offers us a bettersolution.
He says ask for wisdom.
Here's the good news, God isn'tannoyed by neediness.
He's generous, he welcomes ourquestions, he rejoices when we

(08:07):
seek him for guidance and henever shames us for not knowing.
That means, instead of spinningin circles or falling into
shame about our delays, we cansimply pause and pray like this:
Lord, I don't know where tobegin.
Please show me.
The wisdom you are seekingmight come through scripture, a

(08:29):
conversation, a sermon or astill small whisper during your
quiet time, but when you seek it, Wisdom that is, it will come.
And when that Wisdom you areseeking comes, so does clarity.
And of course, clarity shouldbe followed by action.
Here's something you may findhelpful.

(08:50):
Build a wisdom check-in intoyour mornings.
Before opening your calendar,before opening your Bible, ask
God, what is the one thing youwant me to complete today that
aligns with your purpose?
Let's take a look at 2 Timothy,chapter 1, verse 7.
The Apostle Paul writes toTimothy, saying, for God did not

(09:15):
give us a spirit of cowardice,but rather a spirit of power and
of love and of self-discipline.
Let's pause here for a momentand internalize something
powerful.
Procrastination is not youridentity.
It is not a personality traityou're stuck with.
It is not a life sentence.
You are not lazy, unmotivatedor broken, because if you are in

(09:37):
Christ, you have been given anew spirit, and this spirit is
not timid or fearful.
It is not passive or aimless.
It is full of power, rooted inlove and anchored by
self-discipline.
You heard me right.
For Christians, those of us whoare in Christ, self-discipline
is not something you have tomanufacture.

(09:59):
It's part of the fruit that'salready in you through the
indwelling Holy Spirit.
But here's the challenge.
You have to partner with theSpirit.
He will indeed empower you, butyou must move, you must live it
out.
Discipline isn't about beinginflexible or unbending.
It's about being aligned withGod's will, aligned with your

(10:22):
calling, aligned with the rhythmof grace that God bestows upon
you.
When you choose to show up foryour calling, whether it's
serving others, praying overyour family or pursuing your
passion, you're not being strict, you're being Spirit-led.
If you are still finding itdifficult to move forward, try

(10:43):
naming self-discipline as aspiritual gift, not a personal
burden.
Repeat to yourself often, Ihave the spirit of
self-discipline and I amempowered to act.
Repeat it again with me.
I have the spirit ofself-discipline and I am
empowered to act.

(11:05):
Next, let's reframe our everydaywork as worship.
Paul writes to the believers atColossae saying, whatever you
do, work at it with all yourheart as working for the Lord,
not for human masters.
It is the Lord Christ you areserving.
This scripture is the heart ofredeemed productivity.
It tells us why we act, not forlikes, approval or applause,

(11:30):
but for the pleasure of our God.
When we shift our why, our howtransforms as well.
Folding laundry becomes worship.
Preparing a lesson becomesministry.
Planning your schedule becomesstewardship.
It's no longer about checkingboxes.
It's about honoring Jesus inthe mundane and also in the

(11:52):
magnificent.
Imagine budgeting your financesas an act of worship.
Imagine writing a grocery listas a holy task.
This mindset shift removes thedesire to procrastinate and
replaces it with a desire tomove forward with a purpose.
When you realize that evensmall, unseen tasks will glorify

(12:12):
the Lord, you stop delayingthem and you start delighting in
them.
Write this phrase at the top ofyour to-do list: For the Lord.
Then notice how your mindsetshifts.
And continue to remind yourselfall day long, this is kingdom
work, even if it feels ordinary.

(12:34):
To help overcome procrastinationin a faith-filled, holistic way
, try incorporating essentialoils into your daily routine as
a tool for focus, clarity andspiritual grounding.
Oils like peppermint, lemon androsemary are known to stimulate
alertness and mental clarity,making them ideal for moments
when you're tempted to delay orfeel mentally stuck.

(12:55):
Before beginning your activity,apply one of these oils to your
wrist or diffuse it in yourspace.
As the aroma fills the air,pause and reflect on 2 Timothy,

chapter 1, verse 7 which says: For God did not give us a spirit (13:05):
undefined
of cowardice, but rather aspirit of power and of love and
of self-discipline.
Breathe deeply and pray, Lord,awaken my spirit, sharpen my
mind, give me courage and helpme move forward in obedience to

(13:27):
your calling.
If today's show has inspired youto connect with God daily, but
you're still unsure of where tostart, I'm excited to invite you
to book an Aroma of Christcoaching hour.
During our session together,we'll craft a personalized daily
devotional plan using speciallydesigned printable resources,
along with the unique benefitsof specific essential oils,

(13:49):
carefully chosen to create arefreshing and uplifting
atmosphere, while enhancingspiritual clarity and focus that
will help you hear more clearlythe guidance of the Holy Spirit
.
Whether you're struggling withindecision, feeling overwhelmed
or wish to deepen your spiritualjourney, this hour is
customized to support youexactly where you are.
I am looking forward towitnessing the beautiful

(14:11):
transformation that unfolds asyou say yes to a daily quiet
time with your Creator, God.
Book your call now atpaulabehrens.
com/ coaching.
Look for a link in the shownotes.
Let's not sugarcoat it.
Procrastination is oftenspiritual warfare.
The enemy doesn't need to makeyou sin to derail you.

(14:31):
He just needs to make you stall.
And delay, though it may seeminnocent, is destructive when it
keeps you from acting on God'sdirection.
And Satan is subtle.
He uses distraction, doubt,overwhelm, fear of failure and
even simple busyness to keep usparalyzed.
So the next time you senseresistance, confusion or chronic

(14:53):
delay, ask yourself, is this aspiritual attack disguised as
indecision?
Then get on your knees, seekGod's truth and act.
Even a small act of obediencecan neutralize the plans of the
enemy.
I want you to consider this,what is the one thing God has
placed on your heart that youhaven't acted on yet?

(15:15):
It doesn't need to be big, itdoesn't even need to be public,
but it does need to begin.
Delay will not make it easier,but obedience will make it worth
it.
Take the next faithful step andbecause it's coming from the
Holy Spirit within you, Iguarantee you that God will meet
you where you are, as youcovenant with him to take that

(15:38):
step forward.
Thank you for tuning in todayand remember, just like setting
biblical boundaries, it's okayto say no to things that don't
serve you well, like that thirdpiece of cake at the church
potluck.
If you've enjoyed this episode, we would truly appreciate it
if you would take just a fewmoments to follow the show and

(15:59):
leave a review.
Also, prayerfully, considerinvesting just one hour to
deepen your faith and nurtureyour spiritual growth.
In your Aroma of Christcoaching hour, you will discover
how to craft a personalizeddevotional routine that will fit
perfectly into your busyschedule, incorporate essential
oils into your spiritualpractices, create an

(16:20):
easy-to-follow tracking plan forconsistency and learn
tried-and-true strategies toexperience your quiet time with
God not just as a routine but asa joyful journey.
Schedule your call now atpaulabehrens.
com/ coaching.
That's Paula BehrensB-E-H-R-E-N-S .

(16:41):
com/ coaching ( no spaces).
Be sure to check the show notesfor all the links.
Join us next week as wecontinue to discover how to live
on purpose in Christ.
Until then, keep leaning intoHim and walking in His wisdom.
See you next time.
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