The Weekly Encourager – October 18, 2016 – Work Hard

“Do your work heartily, as for the Lord.” - Colossians 3:23

It used to be that money, sex, politics, and religion were taboo topics at social events, but they've become all too common. Now there's another topic that no one dares to discuss, especially in my town of workaholics: laziness. Some good Christian people I know are struggling with not being able to work heartily. Some can't get started on tasks they know they need to do, others can't continue to work steadily but distract themselves with anything but their work, and others can't seem to complete a job all the way to the end.

Whether it's due to procrastination, sadness, fear of failure, perfectionism, poor motivation, or just plain old laziness, this is a real problem. Like many other issues, it's easy for those who don't have this trouble to view it as minor and easily fixed. Just buck up and get to work! It's that easy! These are the same well-meaning but thoughtless folks who tell depressed individuals to “snap out of it” and overweight people to “just eat less.” Those of us who can't control our tongues are told to “think before you speak.” Well, duh.

Most people know that God calls us to work. Even before the Fall, Adam and Eve were told to cultivate the Garden. We are to use the gifts God gave us to provide for ourselves, benefit others, and bring glory to God. Every person has a calling, whether it's a traditional job with a paycheck or being a student or raising a family or volunteering at the nursing home. Even people with severe disabilities can contribute to society in some way. People in prison are longing for some task to do that makes them feel human. I spoke with an elderly saint who was mourning the loss of her mobility, hearing, eyesight, and memory. She said she didn't know why she was still living, since she couldn't do anything! I suggested that perhaps her calling now was to pray for everyone in her life. I encouraged her to pray for our nation – Heaven knows we need it!

So how bad is it? Of course we all have weaknesses. Since the Fall, every good desire has been perverted. Man who was designed to work cheerfully now dreads to get up on Monday morning. When does a weakness become a sin? I'm not an authority on this, but when something is out of control, there's probably sin involved. The world, the flesh, and the devil are the Bermuda Triangle of temptation and can suck us down the vortex of sin. In the worst case, our little boat can be lost in the storm and never seen again. By contrast, self-control is a fruit of the Spirit. If your temptation to avoid work can be overcome most of the time, then it's being regulated and mastered. God has given you grace in that area, and you've exercised discipline. Be thankful! But if you fail more often than not at doing your work to the best of your ability, you may have a stronghold of sin in your life. Your lack of self-control is a serious issue which is a sin against the Lord.

Guilt and shame are not my purpose here. These emotions naturally follow when we're sinned, but we go to the foot of the Cross for mercy and we are saved. It's a startling fact: Christ died for laziness just as much as He died for murder and adultery and theft and greed. How can we help those who struggle with this sin? First, pray diligently for them. If you suspect there may be physical, mental, or psychological factors involved, encourage these friends to get medical advice. If they need practical training in how to work diligently, make that available. Remind them of their duty to God. Call them to repentance and assure them of God's forgiveness and your acceptance. We must forgive sinners as Christ forgives us, especially if we live with them and their sin impacts us personally. Be nice: don't be dismissive of their sin just because you are hurt, or because your own sin is in a different area! Spiritual pride may be the worst vortex of all.

In some cases, it may be appropriate to offer to be an accountability partner. This is a sacred task which involves a high degree of trust, honesty, and honorablity. We must respond with gentleness and compassion when someone confesses any sin to us, knowing that our own sin is just as serious. We must commit to regular positive communication with the other person, as well as regular prayer on their behalf. We must keep private matters private. “Do unto others….”

If you yourself are avoiding work, I encourage you to try this. Back when I was in the psychiatric unit with Major Depression, we had to have a “goal for the day” each day, no matter how bad we felt. We shared the day's goal each morning with at least one other person, and kept each other accountable. No shaming, just encouraging. Not platitudes but prayer. Man is a social being, and it helps to have someone who knows what you set out to do that day, and who will follow up at the end of the day or the next morning. One person is now doing this with me via text message at the same time each day. I suggest you find a friend and do the same. (This works better if it's not your spouse.) The point is, start somewhere. Maybe your goal for the first day is just to read one Bible verse about work. If you can accomplish that, you have completed one task. Success breeds success, and you build on that. With God's help, you can do this!

God is faithful,
j