This Is What’s Holding You Back From True Success

Diligence Doesn’t Rely on Talent, But Commitment

Diligence seems to be a word we don’t hear or use much these days. According to the dictionary, diligence is defined as, “careful and persistent work or effort.” An expanded definition of “diligence” states it is “steadily persevering, painstaking effort, constant in effort to accomplish something.”

A website I found said this, “Diligence means that we are continually working toward our goals, making use of what resources and opportunities are available. We are vigilant to avoid errors and to stay focused on the task at hand. Our diligence provides a basis for people trusting us with jobs that are tricky or complicated and also important to them.”

It further stated, “Diligence does not rely on talent, but employs commitment, industry and perseverance to transform vision into reality.” With these definitions in mind, I ask myself, am I being careful and persistent with my work? Diligence is a character trait needed in today’s work force.

Are We Diligent?

Are we diligent to be on time? Are we making the most of company time, accomplishing our tasks? As an employee, our diligence rewards us. Proverbs 21:5 (NIV) says, “The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.” Thus, if you are diligent, you and your company will profit from it.

That may mean that your company makes more money but also that you get a raise. Perhaps the quality of your work place improves or your company parties take it to the next level compared to the year before. Your diligence benefits everybody.

But also, not only will you and your company profit from persistent effort, but your soul will profit as well. The soul is your mind, will and emotions. Our soul is affected by our work. We can be anxious because of work and this affects us. If our thoughts are consistently about a family member who may not be doing well, our soul is not at peace.

Proverbs 13:14 says, “The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied.” That means if we are diligent with our work and tasks at hand, our soul is rewarded. Our quality of life is improved and our self-esteem is boosted. Our soul is richly rewarded by our diligence.

I think this is including when we get all our daily work done in our allotted time, we can leave our work and go do extra activities. Like going to the gym or seeing a movie. Our mind is not distracted because our tasks for the day are completed.

We can focus on spending time with friends or family. But if we are temporarily separated from our friends and family for a time due to work, such as a deployment, we will make the most of our time with them upon returning home.

We will enjoy life more if we are diligent. Will you make a commitment today to be more diligent with your work? You will profit, and your soul will be at peace with your diligence. {eoa}

Jared Laskey, M.Div., M.A. Christian Ministry, is the founder and senior pastor of Destiny Church in Virginia Beach, Virginia. He lives to see Jesus awaken this generation to the power of the Holy Spirit. You can follow him on twitter @jaredalaskey and purchase his co-authored book Veronica’s Hero. You can also subscribe to his podcast and check out firebornministries.org.