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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© 2016 Teddy Lynn – All Rights Reserved

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IF AT FIRST, YOU DON'T SUCK SEED

“If at first, you don’t suck seed, try, try again.” I remember my Grandmother saying that many times when I was growing up. When I was really young I wondered, “What does sucking seed mean?” I had no idea. I thought she was talking about sucking on some kind of seeds.

I don’t remember when it became clear, but when I was older I understood what she meant. She wasn’t saying “Suck Seed”, she was quoting the famous mantra, which most people have probably heard a thousand times. “If at first, you don’t SUCCEED, try, try again.”

I came to understand a lot of things when I was older. She taught us so much. She was a very wise woman. She began teaching us the things we would need later on in life, even before we could understand what she was talking about. Then when the situation arose, later on, we were better prepared.

I truly think that’s one of the reasons people today don’t exercise wisdom in a lot of their decisions. They were not taught from early on. Then you have those children raising children of their own before they are even grown, and the cycle continues.

There are many smart young people in our world, but WISDOM comes with age and experience. I find myself shaking my head when I see some of the things younger people do today, and yes, I did many of those same things when I was younger. I know better now because of the experiences I’ve had and the things that I’ve gone through. That helps me to believe that there’s hope for everyone.

Most people don’t make bad decisions knowing they are bad decisions. Usually, we only realize they were bad ones later when we see the end results. That’s why it is so important to listen to someone who has more experience than we do. Many times that’s what successful people will tell you. If you want to be successful follow successful people. Well, if you want to be wise follow wise people and there’s none wiser than the almighty God who created everything.

The principles of life that God has placed in the Bible were put there for our benefit. So we could live a long prosperous life. God created us and he knows what it takes to make us happy. Truly happy. He made us, so he knows what foods our bodies need to be healthy.

Modern science is just now realizing some of God’s principles of health. Thousands of years ago God said we shouldn’t eat certain things. We know now that he knew what he was talking about. Hundreds of diseases can be prevented if we just eat like God said.

Wisdom doesn’t come to us overnight. We are not born with it. It comes from years of experience, both good and bad, and from both success and failure. But, we can make it easier on ourselves and skip a lot of troubles and heartaches on our journey to being wise if we just read and listen and follow the instructions that God has prepared for us in his word, the Bible.

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My Blogs
https://teddylynn.blogspot.com
https://teddylynn.wordpress.com

© 2015 Teddy Lynn – All Rights Reserved

My books are available in paperback and digital format on Amazon @ 
https://www.amazon.com/Teddy-Lynn/e/B01MZDB6L6