Discipline is the bridge between goals, peace with who we are, and accomplishments but without discipline, we can easily begin to flounder in our resolve, and consequently, our ability to reach goals, lead a healthy lifestyle, grow spiritually and ultimately be happy.
Discipline is a habit we can practice and there are great benefits to leading a disciplined life.
It’s one of the easiest ways to gain respect in the workplace from our employer and colleagues, and sets a positive example and witness to others, as it creates focus, reliability, patience, and consistency in our characters.
Discipline also helps us be healthy, keeps us fit and active, assists our educational pursuits, and encourages us to be self-controlled, resulting in positive relations with others. When we practice being disciplined, we get things done faster and in the right time period. We are usually less stressed because we are more organized and know what we are doing and can plan in advance.
God speaks in His word a lot about discipline, and how important it is for us to be focused and consistent in our walk with Him. He knows that it need not be a negative, controlling or limiting aspect of our lives, but a part of our character that will help us become all that He created us to be.
By discipline, we run our race and win the prize, as we fix our eyes firmly ahead. A disciplined life helps prevent us from stumbling and enables us to be consistent in our speech, behavior, and faith. It enables us to remain steadfast in adversity, and patient as we believe and pray.
God encourages us to be, “hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined,” and cautions that “a man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.” (Titus 1:8; Proverbs 25:28)
I can think of many times when I have let myself and others down by not being as disciplined as I could have been. But God is so gracious and encourages us in our weaknesses to forgive ourselves, ask for His strength, and choose to move forward. When we draw close to God, we discover more of who we are in Him. As we look at Him and His word, we will see ourselves as He sees us, as new creations, who are disciplined, gentle, self-controlled, and people who run our race well.
“Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!” (2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT)
Today, start with small areas of your life that you desire to be more disciplined in; make simple changes first, and write them down so that they are clear to you.
Ask God for His strength and help, and go for it. It’s in the daily decisions, the choices and the habits we create and establish in our lives that discipline grows. It’s not burdensome, but about living a free life, no longer governed by our emotions, weaknesses, or bad habits.
“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air, but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.” (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)
“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1)
“and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.” (Ephesians 4:23-24)
Prayer: Lord thank you that you have created me in your image and likeness. I have resurrection power residing on the inside of me, and the ability and strength to do all things. Help me to understand more fully who I am in you, and to lead a more disciplined, focused and healthier, joy-filled life. In Jesus name Amen