SELF-DISCIPLINE

The Oxford Dictionary says that the definition of Self-Discipline is “the ability to control one’s feelings and overcome one’s weaknesses; the ability to pursue what one thinks is right despite temptations to abandon it.”

Self-Discipline doesn’t come easy, and sometimes it’s not much fun. Especially if you’re dealing with some area where there has been no discipline at all, or at least, not for a long period of time. It’s a lot easier to be undisciplined because there’s no work involved, and let’s face it, a lot of us are just plain lazy.

Self-Discipline is a very important thing to have in our lives. It’s important in our work, in our play, in our families, and in our thoughts as well because our thoughts become our actions, and our actions become our character.

Self-Discipline is essential to achieve any vision we may have for the future. If we want to buy something really expensive, we may have to save up the money to buy it. In order to do that we have to be disciplined enough not to spend our money on other things. It takes discipline to get up and go to work every day to make that money. If we want to lose weight, we have to discipline ourselves and not eat too much, or too often, and avoid certain foods and drinks, and don’t skip our exercises.

If you’re working for God, and we all should be, then it’s very important to have self-discipline in our toolbox. Let’s look at just one example of how important this is to God.

Job 36:8-12
8 If they are bound with chains and are caught in cords of affliction; 
9 Then he shows them their work and their sins that they have exceeded. 
10 He also opens their ear to discipline and commands that they return from sinning. 
11 If they obey and serve him, they will spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures. 
12 But if they do not obey, they will perish by the sword, and they will die without knowledge.

When we’re doing something wrong, the Holy Spirit tells us. He brings it to our attention so we will stop, and get back to doing what’s right. He commands us to stop sinning, and return to discipline. Sometimes we just don’t listen. Sometimes we don’t want to stop what we’re doing, but these verses tell us that we SHOULD listen, and OBEY his voice. It means the difference between prosperity or failure, and life or death.

It takes Self-Discipline to live a Christian life. It takes discipline to spend time with God each day in prayer and Bible study. It takes Self-Discipline to get out of bed, and get ready, and go to church.

As you can see, Self-discipline is a much-needed, must-have tool. If we fail to have it in our lives, then we will fail to live life to its fullest. This is one of the traits that make a big difference between those who are successful in life, and those who are not. Every single act of progression in life takes Self-Discipline. Never let anyone convince you otherwise.

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