Hey Friend,
If you’re like me, you’ve probably found yourself frustrated by this cycle: you start something with enthusiasm, maybe even crush it for a week or two, only to lose momentum. Before you know it, you’ve slowed down, stopped altogether, and are stuck beating yourself up for not staying consistent. Why do we do this? Why does it feel so hard to stick with the things we know we need to do?
I’ve been diving into my own struggle with this, and here’s what I’ve learned through prayer, reflection, and studying Scripture. Let’s break it down together.
Slothfulness vs Laziness: What’s the Difference?
- Slothfulness isn’t the same as laziness.
- In Greek, slothfulness is nothros, meaning dull, slow, sluggish, or lacking momentum.
- It’s like a candle that once burned brightly but now barely flickers.
- Someone who is slothful hasn’t stopped moving but has lost the fire and zeal they once had.
- On the other hand, laziness is simply not doing anything at all.
💡 Think of it this way: slothfulness happens when something that used to be a top priority loses its importance and urgency in your life.
Complacency: The Danger of “All Is Good” When It’s Not
- Complacency is a state of self-satisfaction, a mindset of “I’m fine where I am,” even when deep down, you know you’re not where you need to be.
- It leads to carelessness and negligence, especially in areas that truly matter, like your spiritual walk.
📖 Hosea 7:16 describes people who “return, but not to the Most High,” meaning they make changes but never fully address the root issue.
Procrastination: Putting Off What Matters Most
- Procrastination means intentionally delaying something important.
- It’s not just about tasks; it often stems from deeper fears, insecurities, or lack of focus.
- Jesus reminds us in Matthew 6:33 to “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness,” putting His priorities above everything else.
The Mental Battle of Starting and Stopping
I know how hard it is when you feel like you’re stuck in a cycle of starting and stopping:
- You make some progress, only to lose the drive.
- You beat yourself up for quitting and feel too ashamed to tell anyone.
- You don’t even want to try again because you’re afraid of failing yet another time.
It’s a tough inward battle because, on the outside, it might look like you’re doing fine. But on the inside? You feel neutral like you’re going nowhere.
Guilt, Shame, and Condemnation
This cycle of inconsistency creates a whirlwind of negative emotions:
- Guilt over not doing what you know you should.
- Shame for not being able to stick with it.
- Fear of trying again because of past failures.
It’s exhausting, isn’t it? But here’s the good news: you don’t have to stay stuck in this cycle.
How to Break Free: Diligence and Zeal
Diligence means putting in consistent effort and attention to detail.
- Colossians 3:23 says, “Whatever you do, [do it] from the heart [as something done] for the Lord and not for people.”
- It’s about showing up, even when you don’t feel like it, and giving your best for God.
Zeal is showing great enthusiasm for what God has called you to do.
- Romans 12:11 reminds us to “never lag in zeal and in earnest endeavor; be aglow and burning with the Spirit.”
- Jesus Himself demonstrated discipline and zeal in fulfilling God’s calling.
Recognizing the Enemy’s Tactics
- Satan loves to use slothfulness and complacency to hold us back.
- He knows that if we stay stuck, we won’t accomplish what God has planned for us.
- But when we conquer these struggles, we become unstoppable for the Kingdom of God.
💡 Revelation 3:19 encourages us to “be enthusiastic and repent,” reminding us that God lovingly disciplines us to help us grow.
Practical Steps to Reignite Your Passion
Here are some tips I’ve found helpful as I put into practice what I preach!
- Pray for guidance and strength to overcome slothfulness and complacency.
- Revisit your “why.” Why did you start in the first place? Ask God to reignite your passion.
- Set small, achievable goals to rebuild momentum without overwhelming yourself.
- Surround yourself with encouragement through Scripture, friends, or uplifting content.
- Stay accountable. Share your struggles with someone who can encourage and pray for you.
The Call to Action
Friend, if you’ve been spiritually asleep or stuck in a cycle of stopping and starting, I want to encourage you:
- Don’t let guilt or shame hold you back.
- Seek God’s help to overcome.
- Be diligent and zealous in the calling He’s placed on your life.
Let’s not let slothfulness, complacency, or procrastination keep us from becoming all that God has called us to be. Together, we can break this cycle and move forward with purpose and passion.
📖 Key Scriptures to Reflect On:
- Psalm 78:57: “But turned back and acted unfaithfully like their fathers; they were twisted like a warped bow [that will not respond to the archer’s aim].”
- Hosea 7:16: “They turn, but not to Him who is on high; they are like a poorly crafted bow.”
- Matthew 6:33: “But first and most importantly seek (aim at, strive after) His kingdom and His righteousness.”
- Colossians 3:23: “Whatever you do, [do it] from the heart [as something done] for the Lord.”
- Romans 12:11: “Never lagging behind in diligence; aglow in the Spirit, enthusiastically serving the Lord.”
- Revelation 3:19: “Those whom I [dearly and tenderly] love, I rebuke and discipline… be enthusiastic and repent [changing your inner self—your old way of thinking].”
I hope this encouraged you as much as it did me while writing it. Let’s keep moving forward, one step at a time, trusting that God will meet us where we are and give us the strength to press on.
Blessings,
Pamela 💕
Kingdom Habitation 