Do You Confuse Laziness with Fear?

“The slothful man saith, There is a lion without, I shall be slain in the streets.”
                            Proverbs 22:13 (KJV)
 






Hi friends,

     How are you today?  There have been many times when I haven’t done things, because I didn’t think that I could do them.  They seemed too difficult for me.  I didn’t think I had the skills, the patience, the knowledge, the strength, or the financial means to do them.  What about you?  Have you ever felt like there were things that you couldn’t do that you wanted to do?  Were there things that you didn’t do, because you didn’t think you could do them?

     This verse in Proverbs convicts me of laziness.  Most, if not all, the things that I didn’t do because I didn’t think I could were because I was too lazy to do the hard work to carry them out.  I was afraid, overwhelmed, or just ignorant of a way to succeed. 

     However, the biggest conviction above and beyond laziness is that I didn’t have the faith that God would provide a way and that God would be with me through it all. 

     I don’t know if I didn’t realize this before or didn’t understand it.  I learn something new every time I read the Bible.  I may have glossed over this verse before.  If I had really understood it, maybe I would have tackled more or at least given them more of an effort, before I dismissed them as being too hard.

     As humans, it may be in our nature to look at things as too difficult before we even give them a chance.  We may just fear that “there is a lion in the street” or we may say that because it sounds like it would be a good excuse to not put the work in to accomplish something.  It may seem like a lion, but only be a sweet little kitten.  We don’t even know if we can accomplish something or if it beyond our means, if we don’t try something. 

     I really hope that the next time I am faced with what I feel is a difficult or impossible task that I remember the words in Proverbs 22:13 and remember that God is with me always.

     It may seem like the convictions that I find in these words are a bad thing.  Most people don’t like to be convicted.  Often conviction leads to discomfort, lack of freedom, punishment, or sadness.  Yet, I find comfort and hope in these words.  It is like, now that I realize what I was doing, I can change it.  I can now knowingly look to God with my troubles instead of dismissing something that I can’t do or don’t think I can do.  In reality I probably can’t do it, but with God, I can.  God will provide a way.
 
Heavenly Father,
     Thank you for your Word.  Thank you for convicting me of slothfulness and showing me that when I feel scared to do something, it isn’t that it is too hard, it is that I am not putting my faith in you.  Thank you for being there for me and being ready to help me through every situation in which I call on your name.  Help me to do put my faith in you and be obedient enough to do your will, no matter how difficult it may seem.  Give me the strength and courage to be obedient to you and do the things you call me to do.  I ask you this through your Son, Jesus.  Amen.
 
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Reflective questions for Proverbs 22:13 (KJV):
*What does Proverbs 22:13 mean to me?
*Do I make excuses about not doing anything when in reality I am just lazy?
*Do I trust that God can help me through anything?
*Do I believe that God can make a way when there doesn’t seem to be one?
*Do you confuse laziness with fear?

Now, it is your turn?
     What are your thoughts?  I would like to hear from you.  Please, leave a comment.  If you would like to receive these posts in your inbox, please sign up below.  Thank you.

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