5 causes of idleness and a spiritual cure
Idleness is hateful in the sight of God. He wants us to actively and energetically promote his kingdom on earth. The apostle Paul devoted an entire chapter of 2 Thessalonians warning against this. So what do we do when we find ourselves falling into lazy ways? Is there a cure? Of course, in the kingdom of God there is a cure for everything.
Idleness has several causes:
1) depression
2) Cynicism. Do you think “so what?” about each task that comes your way?
3) Physical. Perhaps illness or being overweight have contributed to your inactivity.
4) Rebellion. Are you in a bad mood about something?
5) Mental problem. Is your idleness related to some deeper psychological or psychiatric condition?
While each of the above cases has a separate root that needs to be addressed individually, the specific symptom of idleness can be overcome with this simple exercise:
Idleness is a malfunction of the spirit, so first decide that you want to change and pray about it. If you can’t pray all the way through, just say, “God, keep me busy.” Repeat this prayer at every opportunity.
Now the problem you have is that each task seems overwhelmingly laborious. Nothing worth. To overcome this feeling, we must reduce each task to its smallest divisible unit, or SDU.
Take this simple example; If someone said to you, “Help me build this house,” you would be overwhelmed by the magnitude of the task. But if that person says, “Please bring me a brick,” you may find it more manageable. If you have a week of laundry sitting in the kitchen, even the thought of doing it makes you sick. Where do you start? By reducing the work to its smallest divisible unit (SDU), it becomes easier. The SDU could be removing dishwashing liquid and filling a container with hot water. Or it could be just clearing a space in the sink. Once you’ve done the first SDU, rest and consider the next one; maybe washing a dish. After you’ve done three or four SDUs, reward yourself and remember your prayer, “Lord, keep me busy.”
As long as you wash more dishes than you use, sooner or later the washing will end. It doesn’t matter how long it takes. What matters is that you are altering your thinking and asking God to change your behavior.
Use SDU on everything you have to do in a day. You’ll be amazed how quickly you can tackle dozens of SDUs at once, and before long you won’t even have to worry about them. You will have overcome your idleness forever and be ready for gainful employment.