Why You Should Practice the Virtue of Diligence
Diligence is one of those virtues we know is important, yet it often gets overlooked. We admire people who are disciplined, hardworking, and persistent, but in our own lives, it’s easy to procrastinate, cut corners, or justify laziness. However, as Catholics, diligence isn’t just about being productive—it’s about faithfulness.
Diligence: More Than Just Hard Work
Many people associate diligence with working hard, but it’s much deeper than that. It’s about being faithful in small things, showing up even when we don’t feel like it, and pursuing excellence not for human praise but for God’s glory.
Consider this: Jesus spent 30 years in quiet, ordinary work before His three years of public ministry. He was diligent in the small, unseen moments, fulfilling His role as a carpenter before stepping into His mission. If Christ, the Son of God, embraced diligence in the mundane, how much more should we?
Why Diligence Matters in the Christian Life
It Forms Your Character
What you repeatedly do shapes who you become. Diligence helps you build discipline, responsibility, and a strong work ethic.
Proverbs 10:4 reminds us, “A slack hand causes poverty, but the hand of the diligent makes rich.” This applies not just to financial wealth but to spiritual and personal growth as well.
It Strengthens Your Relationship with God
Faith isn’t just about belief—it’s about action. Are you diligent in prayer, in reading Scripture, in seeking God’s will?
St. Paul writes in Colossians 3:23, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” Diligence transforms ordinary tasks into acts of worship.
It Helps You Overcome Spiritual Laziness
Sloth, or spiritual laziness, is one of the seven deadly sins. It creeps in when we delay prayer, avoid spiritual commitments, or become indifferent to growth.
Diligence keeps us spiritually sharp, ensuring that we don’t drift into complacency.
Practical Ways to Cultivate Diligence
1. Prioritize What Truly Matters
Instead of simply being busy, ask: Am I investing my time in what actually matters?
Identify the areas where you tend to procrastinate—whether it’s work, prayer, relationships, or personal responsibilities—and start with small, consistent efforts.
2. Show Up Daily, Even When You Don’t Feel Like It
Some days, motivation will be absent. That’s normal. True diligence means committing to action despite your feelings.
Whether it’s waking up for morning prayer, sticking to a workout, or following through on your commitments, discipline grows when you consistently show up.
3. Offer Your Work to God
Shift your perspective: instead of seeing work as a burden, see it as an opportunity to glorify God.
Before starting any task, say a simple prayer: “Lord, I offer this work to You. May it be done with love and excellence.” This transforms even the most mundane tasks into acts of worship.
4. Learn from the Saints
St. Benedict’s rule of Ora et Labora (Pray and Work) teaches that diligence isn’t just about working hard but balancing it with spiritual nourishment.
Look at saints like St. Joseph, a diligent worker, or St. Teresa of Calcutta, who tirelessly served the poor. Their lives remind us that diligence in our daily duties leads to holiness.
5. Set a Small, Achievable Challenge
Pick one area where you struggle with diligence—prayer, work, exercise, relationships—and commit to improving it for the next week.
Example: If you struggle with morning prayer, set an alarm 10 minutes earlier and start with one simple prayer each day.
Final Thought: Diligence is a Path to Holiness
Practicing diligence isn’t about achieving perfection—it’s about showing up, being faithful, and offering our best to God. It’s in the ordinary, daily tasks that we build character and grow in holiness.
So, what’s one small step you can take today to be more diligent? Choose it, commit to it, and trust that God will use your faithfulness to transform you.
