The first nine chapters of Proverbs are basically a challenge to pursue wisdom, the key that unlocks the door to every problem we face in life. The wings of wisdom will lift you above the burdens that often weigh us down. It is the compass that keeps us on course when the winds of adversity blow. Walking in wisdom, in the light of God’s revealed truth, is like having your own personal GPS that keeps you from getting lost.

Therefore, consider a principle from Proverbs that makes a lot of sense: taking initiative. Wise people are never lazy, they’re proactive. They don’t run from problems--but confront them--unlike the sluggard in Proverbs 22:13 who moaned, “There is a lion outside! I shall be slain in the streets!” In other words, he makes up preposterous excuses to avoid taking action (lions did not typically run loose in the streets of fortified cities), and that actually doing so would be hazardous. However, the real danger to himself is his self-centered laziness.

The modern-day sluggard probably wouldn't claim there is a lion in the streets, but here are a few ways he might try to excuse himself from taking initiative:

1. Pointing Fingers

It’s very popular to play the blame game today. Instead of blaming a lion, we blame our parents, our boss, our kids, our spouses, our government, or even God for our passivity, refusing to move forward because of what others may have done to us. Millions of people are in some kind of psychotherapy whereby they actually pay a shrink to shirk their own responsibilities.

2. Procrastinating

Abraham Lincoln once said, "Leave nothing for tomorrow which can be done today." The lazy person says, "Do nothing today which can be left for tomorrow." Making an effort before there is urgency is anathema to the procrastinator. He wants to remain comfortable, waiting until the last possible minute to take action, and resents any prodding. Oftentimes, it's too late or the outcome is chaotic and sloppy. Proverbs teaches the procrastinator to take a lesson from the ant: "Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest." (Prov 6:6-8)

3. Producing Excuses

The man who is good at making excuses is seldom good at anything else. Proverbs 20:4 (NKJV) says, “The lazy man will not plow in winter.” Why not? It’s cold out there. I can’t plow in these conditions. This is the guy who lives by ifs and buts: "if only this would happen" or "but I don't know how."

Instead, he waits for his circumstances to change and never entertains the thought of changing himself. He often prays prayers that are never answered, like, “let this be the winning ticket,” “let the credit card company lose my records,” “transform my spouse,” or “increase my metabolism.” Not gonna happen. He's waiting for a world that doesn’t exist.

People hide behind excuses to absolve themselves of responsibility. It’s much safer to say, “I’m not responsible” instead of discovering that I’m irresponsible.

He waits for his circumstances to change and never entertains the thought of changing himself.

Proverbs has a name for those who point fingers, procrastinate, and make excuses, it’s “sluggard.” They refuse to do anything about the problem, thinking the problem is always “out there.” Whenever you begin to think your problem is out there, you think wrongly because it cedes control of your life to what’s out there.

So, instead of pointing fingers, procrastinating, or making excuses, take initiative and do something. Charles “Tremendous” Jones used to pray, “Lord, before I die, help me do something right, but in the meantime, help me do something.” Taking initiative means being proactive instead of reactive. It means taking responsibility and operating on the basis of choice, not conditions.

A wise man purposely subordinates his feelings and impulses to his principles and values. He acts on the basis of principle--not passion. He forgets about what he cannot change and focuses on what he can change: primarily himself. He understands that between him and the lion outside is his power to choose.