The "D" Word
Discipline... Just the word makes me a little edgy as I recount the areas of my life that I find this character trait sorely lacking. At times I feel overwhelmed with the lack of discipline I have to move forward and accomplish those things that I know I need to do. I have it all planned out in my mind and my heart seems fully "on board".... but somewhere between my good intentions and reality I choose to be sidetracked. In our society we might say "The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak." I guess I am in good company, as Paul shared his own struggles with this dilemma in Romans 7:18 & 19:
"For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the wishing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. For the good that I wish, I do not do; but I practice the very evil that I do not wish."
Whether it be in the area of physical exercise, physical restraint (watching what I eat), completing chores, or areas of spiritual and relational growth...I can find myself out of shape and lazy.... or worse yet, just plain rebellious! Plain and simple, there is no other way to look at it.
I have met people that seem to have a greater inclination towards discipline as part of their character. Do they have to work hard at that trait in order to make it appear natural and easy? I don't know. All I do know, is that for me, it is a struggle to make a disciplined lifestyle habitual and become second nature. Paul addresses this idea of training in 1 Timothy 4:7:
"...discipline (train) yourself for the purpose of godliness..."
The idea here is the same as going to a gym to work out...training yourself for better physical health and form.
A few months back we purchased a treadmill and I have been trying to use it for 30 minutes 3-4 times a week. I finally got tired of feeling fatigued, not fitting into the clothes hanging in my closet and the general physical slump I've been in. I desire to be a good steward of the body the Lord has given me...and to age as gracefully as I can. Likewise, I want to discipline my spiritual life in the same manner by growing in grace and wisdom, honoring God in what I say and do. Truth of the matter is...I'm not always willing to do what it takes to achieve success in these areas. Whether it means enduring the pain and sweat of my treadmill workout, or clearing my mind enough to come before God for renewal on a daily basis...I often don't make the best choice. Why is it easier for me to turn on the computer and read the encouraging posts and comments of my blogville friends...than it is to steal away and read the encouraging words of my Savior? This is an area I am addressing.
Paul reminds us that our spiritual workout is much more important that our physical training:
"...for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance. For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers. Prescribe and teach these things." 1 Timothy 4:8-11
We are also encouraged to keep our focus on renewing our "inner" being:
"Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day." 2 Corinthians 4:16
It is clear from scripture that this spiritual "workout" calls for a serious commitment and approach, just like the discipline needed by an athlete in training. It is a "no-pain, no-gain" effort! So, I can't wait around for the Spirit to "move me" to approach the throne of grace...any more than an athlete in training would wait for his coach's invitation to "feel like" joining him at the gym. Improving personal character and discipline takes personal commitment, personal effort and personal desire for improvement. Spiritual discipline also takes work, training and dieing to self. I don't always have the "desire" to spend time in the Word in a spiritual "workout" or to serve someone that the Lord has put in my path. But, the rewards are worth the effort....and I am interested in growth.
"And let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary." Galatians 6:9
"...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, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith..." Hebrews 12:1-2
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Spiritual Growth
14 comments:
Oh, this is good encouragement for me. I am currently in the throws of learning better discipline when it comes to eating and exercising. So far - 5 pounds - which I will post about tomorrow. But more importantly, I am moving more and not dreading it "quite" as much.
Wonderful post Diane! I can totally relate! I struggle with discipline too and I've never enjoyed exercising. It's been something I've had to really focus on and make some efforts. That's one reason I've competed in a couple of races......for the motivation to keep at it. It's not fun or easy, but it's worth it. I admire you for the changes you are making. Thank you for the encouraging, motivational post!
Discipline is essential for the Christian woman! A topic that needs to be discussed more often.
I am nodding my head in agreement all along the way with this post.
What a great post on discipline.
Thanks for sharing with us.
Good luck with your exercise program.
I need to be much better with mine again. I walk for a few days then I get so busy I don't' walk for a week.
I'm going to try and be good at it again this week.
So true... just when I think I'm doing good, something comes up (sickness, or school activity for my kids) and I can't make it to the gym or even for a walk.
It can be frustrating. The eating thing too, it's hard to just limit myself to two cookies instead of five, but like you said, the clothes just don't seem to fit the same and our bodies are the Lord's temple.
As for our spiritual lives, I've been saved since I was seven, and I grew up watching my parents make time to read their Bibles and pray. I used to hear my Dad say, how he longed for the Word of God when he missed it even for one day. I never understood that until the last few years. I think the more we begin to read the Bible, the Holy Spirit is released to do His work in our lives because of the Word. The more that happens in my life, the more I desire to be in the Word. Does that make any sense? Kind of like a chain reaction in a way... one I don't want to stop :)
What a great post Diane. I especially liked what you said,
"Why is it easier for me to turn on the computer and read the encouraging posts and comments of my blogville friends...than it is to steal away and read the encouraging words of my Savior?"
Isn't that the truth?! I really struggled with this when I first joined the "blogosphere". I would turn on the computer first thing in the morning, rather than open my bible. And for someone who long ago established a routine of morning devotions--before anything else--this was *not* a good thing. I am thankful the Lord dealt with me in this area and we are back on track! : )
Thanks for sharing a great post!
This post is so very encouraging! Thank you for sharing it. :o)
This hit home for me. I hate exercise and I have to work constantly on sticking with my devotions. When I am faithful I want more and more, but if I fall short I get lazy.
Like my pastor always says, I know my physical body needs to be fed three times a day, yet I think spiritually I can get by on my Sunday meal and then a few snacks during the week.
Great posts Diane. Great reminder to keep my spiritual man in shape. I won't touch the physical man, because I am too lazy and not willing to address that...no really I'm trying to watch my food intake. I cannot exercise as I would like due to a couple of foot surgeries in the last year, but I'm praying for healing and hope for better days ahead.
Thank you for sharing this, Diane. Although I have a disciplined running schedule, I attribute it to my dedicated running partners. We share life, love, God ... and we're comitted to being there for each other. It's hard to get up at 5:20 but I know they are waiting for me.
Now eating ... that is another thing! ha.
Sandy
For Reluctant Entertainers
Great words on "discipline." This is something that I'm struggling with right now. Thanks for the encouragement.
Hi Diane, I'm jumping over from Becky's place, and so glad I did! This was a great post on discipline. So true and especially how it applies to so many areas of our lives. I struggle with the exercise thing as well -- exercising my body, my spirit. Yet when I call on my faith or on my physical well-being, I want them to be in tip-top shape! I loved reading the scripture references.
I'll be back again to read some more!
I sent you an email...:-) :-)
Sarah <3
Such a good reminder... it's so easy to lose focus between the good intentions and the actual carrying out of those... which is precisely where discipline and relying on the Lord comes into play.
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