Discipline

For the spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self- discipline. (2 Timothy 1:7, NIV)  

Discipline has more than one meaning. It is more than correcting from wrongdoing, it can also mean to undergo training of the mind or body or spirit to accomplish something. I often comment to my husband that he is a highly disciplined person because of the things I have watched him do for close to five  decades of marriage; something as small as the number of times he dunks his teabag to get optimal flavor and release or the way he attends his work and tasks as a pastor. I admire him for his level of self-discipline.

In Paul’s letter to Timothy Paul reminded the young pastor that God had not given him a spirit of fear or timidity but a spirit or nature of self-discipline. Elsewhere in Scripture we can read about the benefits of self-discipline. Solomon devoted numerous proverbs to the subject and area of self-discipline.

Pastors are not the only ones who need a degree of self-discipline. All of us could benefit from it. Whatever we are trying to accomplish that will take time or a certain amount of focus and concentration we also need a degree of self-discipline, otherwise we will not get anywhere or see the results desired. We may not have a natural inclination of discipline, but God is more than happy to come alongside us and help us become people who do so we can also experience the victories Jesus secured for us on the cross. When we call on him for this kind of help, he will not refuse us nor accuse or berate us but will answer our prayer and then root for us and fill us. Let’s Pray,

O Lord, the things we could accomplish if we had the level of (self) discipline needed. Whatever it is we are desiring to do or attain, fill us, we pray, with the discipline we need to get it done. Amen  

Reflective Questions for Soul-Care

Where are you when it comes to self-discipline?

How will you incorporate today’s message into your plan of soul-care?