The Divine Pause: When Procrastination Isn't Resistance

Brothers and sisters, fellow disciples on this journey. We’ve all been there. You know you *should* be doing something—studying doctrine, calling a friend, working on that challenging scripture passage, or maybe even just making time for quiet contemplation. But instead, you find yourself deep-diving into a YouTube rabbit hole, or maybe you just stare at the scriptures until your eyes cross. We label it 'procrastination,' and often, we couple that label with a heavy cloak of guilt.

It feels like a spiritual failing, doesn't it? Like we’ve forgotten the urgency of the work. But what if the feeling of delay isn't always a sign that we’ve wandered off the path? What if, sometimes, the pause itself is part of the process?

Discerning the Delay: A Guiding Principle

I recently watched a talk that really shifted my perspective on this. It wasn't about *doing* more, but about *knowing* what to do, and when. The speaker offered two simple, yet profound, questions to help cut through the noise and the guilt:

• First Question: Is this what I'm supposed to do?
• Second Question: Is this what I'm supposed to do right now?

Think about that for a moment, especially when you're wrestling with a difficult teaching or trying to prepare for a mission discussion. Are you genuinely supposed to be tackling that concept today, or would a little more time to let the Spirit work in the background—a 'crock-pot' kind of revelation—be more beneficial? The difference between sloth (a refusal to act) and strategic pacing (allowing the Spirit to build the foundation) is subtle, but it matters for our discipleship.

This isn't an excuse to become complacent, far from it. When the answer to both questions is a resounding 'Yes,' then we move forward with diligence. But when the Spirit whispers that the *timing* is off, that's where we learn to trust the process, even if it feels like we're idling.

Being Christlike in the Pause

To be Christlike isn't always about sprinting toward the next assignment. Sometimes, it’s about the quiet, patient work of allowing the truth to settle in your heart. It’s about trusting that the Lord knows the optimal moment for revelation, just as He knows the optimal moment for us to receive it.

For us as rogue disciples, who are called to be internet missionaries everywhere, all the time, this principle is gold. Don't panic if you feel stuck between assignments or between deep study sessions. Instead, use that moment to ask those two questions. Are you *supposed* to be studying the Book of Mormon right now, or would a short, focused review of the principles you learned last week—maybe through a quick social scripture study highlight—actually serve you better?

If you're feeling the weight of the work, remember that the Lord doesn't expect us to be perfect machines. He expects us to be disciples who are willing to ask the right questions of the Spirit. Don't let the fear of 'wasting time' prevent you from pausing to ask, "Wait, really? Am I supposed to be doing this, and am I supposed to do it right now?"

If this resonated with you, I encourage you to take this insight and apply it this week. Maybe it’s time to bring this discussion into our next Book Club meeting in HolyPlaces, or perhaps you can use this framework when you are preparing for your own missionary discussions. Let's commit to asking those clarifying questions before we feel the guilt trip!

If you want to practice applying this framework to tough doctrinal questions, I highly recommend running through a scenario with Davee. He’s excellent at walking you through the hard questions an investigator might ask.

Recommended Reading: If you want more on developing spiritual discipline, check out any of the recent teachings from the Iron Rod authors available in LivingBook. They always have something to ponder!