Lies: Devotions From Time Of GraceSample

If I avoid my problems, they’ll go away 

Most of us feel that we have about as much stress as we can handle. So it’s understandable that we would postpone tough jobs, put off a face-to-face that’s going to be difficult, and procrastinate on unpleasant chores. Understandable, but dumb.

The little voice that whispers to you that maybe the unpleasantness will go away all by itself is lying to you. In fact, you may make the problem bigger by letting it slide. Clogged drains don’t clear themselves, and a rotted window sash does not mysteriously generate sound wood. Get after it today!

It’s even more urgent when it comes to people stress. Jesus thought this so important that he built antiprocrastination teaching into his famous Sermon on the Mount: “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison” (Matthew 5:25). 

Have you done some damage to a relationship? Don’t let the clock chime midnight without apologizing and seeing what you can do to make amends. The sooner you act, the smaller the job will be. Has someone done something hurtful to you? Explain politely how you feel, and you may restore a relationship by giving the other person the chance to say, “I’m sorry.” 

What important task have you been putting off?