Self-Discipline

I suppose that, as one who hasn't been disciplined enough to blog on a consistent basis, I don't have much to say about this topic!  However, I've been having conversations with my wife lately, typically about how I need to grow and improve, and about the areas of my life in which I'm not pleased or satisfied.  Many of these "problems" arise from a lack of self-discipline, in one way or another.


When I see so many things in my life that I want to change or need to change, often times I become overwhelmed.  Change is never easy - it takes self-discipline.  
Speaking as one who has struggled in that area for most of my life (you can ask my parents if you don't believe me!), it can become very easy to let the overwhelming nature of it just overcome me - and do nothing.  Why respond that way?  Because many times, when we're overwhelmed by all that we need to do or change, rather than inspiring us to change it un-inspires us, and we stay as we are.  We no longer feel inclined to change, so we do nothing.


Oswald Chambers, in a different way, talks about this in his book, "My Utmost for His Highest".  Here's what he said today that really got me:

"If we only do what we feel inclined to do, some of us would never do anything."

To read the entire devotional entry for today, go here.

Isn't that what self-discipline is all about?  Doing what we don't feel like doing, whether it's fun or not, whether it's relaxing or not, whether we see immediate results or not?  Ultimately, isn't this how we grow and change - through self-discipline?


Be encouraged today, as I am.  It's not too late to start working on your self-discipline and changing those areas in your life where you feel it's necessary.  Oswald Chambers goes on in his devotional today to say, "The proof that our relationship is right with God is that we do our best whether we feel inspired or not."


Pray with me (and for me) today as I prayed - and will pray for you: "God convict me and help me be disciplined."