JOY BRINGER

Season

BOWERS

Joy To Do The Work

I woke up from a great night's sleep. I spent a few moments thanking the Lord for His presence and His goodness, but very quickly my mind turned to the day ahead. The checklist of ‘to do‘s’ was quite long and included a deadline fast approaching. As I began to strategically map out a plan to accomplish all of it, a cloud of dread and procrastination came over me. Suddenly, I didn’t even want to get out of bed. What happened? It had barely begun; how could my day take such a sudden turn? I tried to shake myself free from the grip of lethargy and avoidance, but I really struggled to find the energy to get out of bed. Thoughts filled my mind, “How can I avoid the things on my list? Can I put it off another day?” As my mind and heart were duking it out, I heard deep in my spirit, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work.” 1 Chronicles 28:20

The words of King David filled my heart. This was more than a tough love moment of compassion and fatherly wisdom but also a reminder of the tool I needed to accomplish my assignment.

When King David was ready to hand over his kingdom to his son Solomon, he had many instructions. David was entrusting his greatest dream to his son to complete. Building the temple was not the Lord’s idea, it was David’s. Unfortunately for him, he was not going to be the one to see it through. King David knew the scale of this assignment. His father’s heart knew that his son would be faced with tasks that seemed insurmountable, so he gave this advice - the needed tools to overcome fear, doubt, and procrastination.

“Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Don’t be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you. He will see to it that all the work related to the Temple of the Lord is finished correctly.” 1 Chron. 28:20.

Being overcome with fear, avoidance, and procrastination is nothing new. These feelings, while not always rooted, in truth, seem to carry a lot of power. But what’s even more powerful? The presence and authority of Jesus. Sometimes I don’t feel strong. The assignments given to me seem far too much for me to handle. Sometimes I don’t feel joyful. The pressure and hard work can suck the joy out of the task at hand. And often I feel like it would be easier to quit.

David knew that the assignment given to his son would overwhelm him. He knew that Solomon may struggle to find the courage to keep going. As a good father, David left his son a strong reminder to help when discouragement and fear set in. He had a lifetime of experience overcoming the impossible and pushing through when it would have been so much easier to give up. David knew of God’s faithfulness and love in times of emotional turmoil, and he could testify of the strength found in the presence of the Lord. He knew his son needed this reminder, and we do too.

The enemy wants us to look around and see the impossible, to be derailed by the feeling of dread, but the Lord calls us in the face of fear and challenge, to be strong and courageous. What does it mean to be strong? Billions of dollars are spent each year trying to attain strength. From drinks, powers and pills, to gyms, weights, and routines, to books, seminars, and strategies, everyone wants to have a corner of the market in the quest for strength. Sure, those things may help but it’s the joy of the Lord where we find the epitome of strength - the power to withstand great force or pressure.

David knew the fullness of joy in the presence of the Lord (Ps. 16:11). He found joy, strength and courage because of the protection of the Lord (Ps 5:11). David was filled with overflowing joy because of the salvation of the Lord (Ps 32:11). Joy in the Lord was David’s source, his not-so-secret weapon. Because of this joy he was able to do the work, no matter that battle, with confidence that God would see it through.

Procrastination is normal. But waiting until we feel like it is not productive. If we wait for the inspiration and sudden energy to turn up, we may be stuck waiting for a long time. And it’s not a lonesome wait, we are sitting ducks for the taunting of the enemy. The jeers of fear, shame, and inadequacy are loud and unending. Instead of sitting in the mush pot of avoidance and procrastination, we can find refuge in the endless inspiration of the Spirit. Once again, David’s words give us the not-so-secret remedy. “And Solomon, my son, learn to know the God of your ancestors intimately. Worship and serve Him with your whole heart and a willing mind. For the Lord sees every heart and knows every plan and thought. If you seek Him, you will find Him.” 1 Chron 28:9.

The greatest tool to overcome procrastination is rejoicing. The joy of the Lord set to motion. Worship, praise, clapping, dancing, singing, shouting are all ways to jolt us out of the doldrums of dread and the prison of procrastination. In seeking His presence we will find joy and joy is what we need to be strong and courageous and do the work.

Joyfully,

Season Bowers

Pastor, Author, Radio Host, Joy bringer 619-807-8509 Follow the joy at seasonbowers.com Instragram, Facebook

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