Lazy Bones

So as I was sitting at work today I generally have time to read but as I got started on my devotionals I found that I was being distracted and unfocused. I see this as me being lazy and undisciplined. So I was curious as to what you all do to refocus yourselves and motivate yourselves to dive back in the word? Just kind of curious because it seems lately that I have been battling this and really need some prayer and possible guidance on breaking this. It seems just recently that I started doing this like three days or so ago and before that I was fired up to read the word and study diligently, anyone else ever exprience this? If so how did you break it? Any comments or input will be appreciated because I hate this feeling and am really seeking God for some answers on how to break this lethargy.

God Bless,
Matthew

It always helps me to be honest with God, and tell Him that I am being lazy, not in a rote way, but in a real honest prayerful fashion. And I ask for His grace to overcome my weakness. I cannot remember it ever failing. Because God only gives grace to humble people 1Peter 5:5, James 4:6, Proverbs 3:34. The prideful tendency in us is to try to work up a bit of strange fire.

Humility, honesty, and Grace are a three-fold cord, never broken. It helps to recognize it as a sin, not as a "mistake" or something pettily less than what it really is. Adam is trying to re-fill your vessel. And when we know what is right and do not do it...then it is sin. Therefore, humble yourself under the mighty hand of God and ask for the grace of Christ.

God allows the valley of the shadow of death to lure us in, that he might take us out again. So that we know He is our Good Shepherd. It is for our greatest good, and for His greatest glory.

On a practical level, try pacing or walking while you read. This helps me immensely. And I am of the persuasion that it helped Paul through some rough times too, Acts 20:13. God Bless Matthew.

Thanks Jeremiah those are some great words of wisdom and they are taken into great consideration. I think a part of my problem (not to justify my laziness) is I am physically tired. I will definitely need the Grace of Christ to overcome this and I agree the Valley is a place that many don't like being but I find that its the place where faith and perservance grows the most. Thanks for the words of encouragement and advice they are appreciated. :)

God Bless,
Matthew

I think a part of my problem (not to justify my laziness) is I am physically tired.

Sorry, twas not my intention to call being physically tired a sin. Just laziness :).

A little sleep...a little slumber...a little folding of the hands.

One of my old bosses used to always say, "There is no rest for the wicked, and the righteous don't need none..."

I always thought that was funny, though a bit off, and somewhat self-righteous.

Oh I didn't take your words as calling being physically tired a sin, I know that I a great portion of me was simply being lazy and I have repented of it and have asked for the hunger and thrist for the Righteousness of God to return in me. I love the No Rest for the Wicked quote I tell that to my dad when I call him in the mornings in a joking manner. I don't say the Righteous don't need none because that seems inaccurate as to human ability we need some kind of rest. :)

At times when i find none or little passion for the scriptures, i usually go to this message and its back again :)

https://www.sermonindex.net/modules/mydownloads/visit.php?lid=4633

Wow thanks that sermon was awesome and very convicting to my spirit.

I believe I have found my weakness, when I read at work there are many things that are worldly flying around me ie a worldly talk and television when I work by myself I keep the television off for the most part however when I work with another person they generally turn the TV on and turn it up and the television is very distracting to me and I can't stay focused distrubing my study time. I have a few option to prevent this One is stop studing at work and study more at home which I run into the same kind of problem but not as bad or find a better way to block out the television and pray for strength to not turn my head to see the things coming from the screen. My coworker is also a talker and she likes to talk about everything that goes on at the work place in a gossiping fashion I tend to just ignore her but it is still a distraction. So if you want to pray for me to have a guard on my eyes and grace to overcome this I would appreciated it!

God Bless,
Matthew

That is a good point Brenda I will let her know that I don't appreciate it nor care to hear about it, I work as a 911 Dispatcher and so my job is like an information highway not only for gossip but for stuff the actually needs to be known. This lady like to blur the lines of necessary and gossiping information.

As for falling out of Love with Christ I will definitely take this seriously for this would be quite the offense. Thank you for your suggestion it is appreciated.

God Bless,
Matthew

Be careful though my dear brother, living with non-believers at work will require us to be extra careful with our words and actions:

...Conduct your selves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of opportunity.

Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person...(Col 4:5-6)

...To malign no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing consideration for all men...(Titus 3:2)

Being mindful of their spiritual state for which we were once like them, let us seek to maintain kindness and honorable relationship with them.

Greetings Matthew

I would caution how you approach a non saved co-worker as well. Pray about what the Lord would have you say to this lady and share with her as the Holy Spirit gives leading. When you do share with her be sure that it is in love and not with a "self" attitude.

God Bless
mj

Thanks I really don't know how I was going to approach this whole situation, not really worried about getting persecuted but I do have to spend 8 hours with this lady close to everyday I have to work, and I already know that even if I ask her to not do it she will still do it around me. I agree in Love is the most important part.

one way to end people sharing gossip is to take this approach, when someone comes and say for example "she/he did this, said this etc" then you say "oh, is that so* well let us now together go to that person, phone that person and straighten this out or ask why etc"

most likely you will get an "oh no!"

then you can share that you as a christian has made an commitment not to slander, speak badly, or of things you dont know for sure or about persons not in your immediate presence. And also explain when someone comes with such information you always go to the person at hand to se wheter this is so or not etc.

most likely no one will share tasty gosip with you any more, probably you will get looked upon as some strange being... but thats ok :)