Boredom is a blessing where your mind is given the luxury of doing nothing.


Proverbs 19:23


On his deathbed, Winston Churchill’s final words were, “I’m so bored with it all.”

To me, that’s sad.

Here was a man who single-handedly changed the course of modern history. His leadership and “we shall never surrender” speech during World War II is generally regarded as one of the greatest ever.

But “bored”? At the end of your life.

It sounds to me like he ended up surrendering after all…

I don’t know about you but I hope and pray something like that doesn’t come out of my mouth as my final words.

Let’s contrast Sir Winston’s final words with those of Bob Marley, the man who brought reggae music into the mainstream. At age 36, as cancer had ravaged his body, he had these final words for his son, Ziggy, “Money can’t buy life.”

Granted, this Tiny Words. Big Life. post is not about final words, but it is about a mindset…

Over the years, I’ve heard the words, “I’m bored” from six-year-olds to eighty-year-olds. Truth be known, I’ve said it or thought it many times.

But is that an indictment on the world around us – Or, is it like the comic book character Pogo said, “We have met the enemy and he is us.”?

I’ll let you ponder on that one…

So, is boredom good or bad?

Well, most people think it’s bad, or at the very least, they don’t like it. Otherwise, why would people of all ages complain about it.

It’s like watching TV these days… we have over 300 channels at our fingertips and we constantly complain about never being able to find anything we want to watch.

The bottom line… we’re spoiled.

But rather than being angered or frustrated by “nothing to do”, we should be thankful that we’re so blessed that we have some downtime where our minds can simply exist – where there’s nothing screaming for our attention – no one is tugging at your shirtsleeve to go somewhere.

We can just be, right there, in the moment.

We need to learn how to let (make) ourselves be content there.

The Tiny Words. Big Life. Bible verse comes from King Solomon, the wisest of the wise, who advises us to fear the Lord and then rest on the knowledge of the majesty and power of God – that we’re connected to the creator of the Heavens and the Earth. In that context, we cannot be troubled by things of this world, unless, as Pogo said, we let them.

The Tiny Words. Big Life. takeaway is this: Be thankful to God for a life that offers excitement as well as boredom. Pray to use your time wisely, which does include, giving your mind and body ample opportunity to rest. Pray to be content with what God has given you.

And the next time your mind springs forth the notion that you’re bored, pull out those old vinyl albums (or check out Spotify) and listen to the Bob Marley song, “Lively Up Yourself”!


Proverbs 19:23

The fear of the Lord leads to life; then one rests content, untouched by trouble.

1 Comment

  1. Jackie Slay on July 22, 2021 at 1:27 pm

    Proverbs 19:23. Great scripture to memorize.🙏🏻