From Lazy to Luxury

I LOVE iced coffee. Mostly I love iced coffee in the summer, but I also love it after a hard workout or as a special addition to my protein shake. The thing I love the most about iced coffee is that somehow, we have turned something that could be seen as a product of laziness into a luxury.

Think about it. Iced coffee is really just leftover hot coffee (unless, granted, it’s cold brewed). I like to imagine that the inception of this delectable elixir started with a sweet mama of littles, who decided that instead of warming up her coffee mug for the tenth time that day, to add some almond milk, ice, and a straw, and enjoy a new drink that was less of a hassle.

It may seem silly to think so deeply about iced coffee, but since coffee is something that is a part of my routine, a daily reminder that there is always an opportunity to look at a thing with two different perspectives is valuable.

Consider for a minute these two statements:

“I know it’s lazy, but if I just put this coffee in the fridge, I don’t have to make more tomorrow and I’m saving money, so it’s ok.”

“I love iced coffee! It’s such a small part of my day, but it makes me feel like I’m treating myself.”

I don’t know about you, but even as I typed these sentences, my whole body posture changed. Our thoughts have so much more power than we acknowledge when it comes to how we see ourselves.  There is something important that happens when I choose to look at my daily coffee as a luxury or a treat as opposed to something I drink cold out of laziness.

This issue of negative thoughts is one Paul addresses in 2 Corinthians 10:3-7 and 17-18, which says:

“For although we live in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh, since the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but are powerful through God for the demolition of strongholds. We demolish arguments and every proud thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to obey Christ. And we are ready to punish any disobedience, once your obedience is complete.

Look at what is obvious. If anyone is confident that he belongs to Christ, let him remind himself of this: Just as he belongs to Christ, so do we.

So let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord. For it is not the one commending himself who is approved, but the one the Lord commends.”

Paul reminds the church in Corinth that we aren’t only in a physical battle. Our thoughts are so powerful that Paul gives specific instructions:

• Demolish arguments.
• Take every thought captive to obey Christ.
• Look at what is obvious.
• Anyone who belongs to Christ, remind yourself of this.

When we remind ourselves that we belong to God, we take hold of truth.

Here are a few of my favorite reminders:

God’s light shines through us

“You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.”1 Thessalonians 5:5

“For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 4:6

We are co-heirs with Christ

“Now if we are children, then we are heirs- heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ. If indeed we share in His sufferings in order that we may also share with His glory.” Romans 8:17

We were chosen by God first

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.” John 15:16

God isn’t ok with us choosing laziness. Proverbs remind us of the destructive ways laziness affects us:

• Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, So is the lazyone to those who send him. Proverbs 10:26
• A lazyman does not roast his prey, But the precious possession of a man is Proverbs 12:27
• The way of the lazyis as a hedge of thorns, But the path of the upright is a highway. Proverbs 15:9

But here’s the thing, sister: there is a difference between being lazy and thinking we are lazy. More often than not, we are way too hard on ourselves.

There are seasons where negative thoughts are easier to take captive than others. For me, having two babies less than two years apart (both surprises) caused me to live in an almost constant state of worry and overwhelm. Couple this with a negative comment peppered in here and there, and what little resilience I had quickly evaporated.

But here’s the thing: my kids were healthy, safe, clean, fed, and they even slept well. There was no reason for me to tell myself I couldn’t handle each day because I was doing it every day. Even with my sweet husband reminding that me the boys were fine and a solid community of friends pitching in to help, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was screwing up someone or something. I was focusing on my negative thoughts when another perspective was staring me in the face.

The next time you find yourself feeling overwhelmed or guilty, pause. Consider whether this is your opportunity to turn coffee into iced coffee instead of beating yourself up for not finishing the mug in front of you.

Beth Walker is a football coach’s wife and mom of two energetic boys. She strives to encourage those around her to pursue their best lives in Jesus whether she is near the game field, in church, or at the local coffee shop. As a writer, Beth has been striving to find her voice through seeing Jesus in the ordinary and extraordinary of daily life. She blogs at Lessons from the Sidelines.

Photograph © Thomas Vimare, used with permission