The Importance of Discipline

This morning my bed beckoned to me, and I really wanted to go back to sleep. My mind searched for any plausible cause to persuade me to go back to bed. And for a few minutes, I contemplated it. 

Until I was reminded of my dreams. 

Going back to bed will not help me accomplish my goals. Nor make me feel good about myself. Sure the immediate satisfaction of snoozing makes me feel good for the moment, but the long term effect of it causes me stress, and hinders me from going to the next level with my goals. 

I don’t want to merely drift through my life. But every day I want to live intentionally with passion and purpose. I want to do the things that are hard right now, so that I may reap the rewards later. 

Discipline is the holy grail of success. Without the discipline to work on my goals, my talent is useless. And my hopes and dreams are nothing more than a wish. When I get a clear plan in place, however, and then work on executing my plan daily, great things start to happen. 

The discipline to do what needs to be done, even when we don't feel like doing it, is a great skill to master. To be honest, I never feel like writing or speaking at events.  I don’t wake up and feel like exercising. But in order to do the things that nourish my soul, I have to put forth an effort. When God sees my dedication, discipline, and hard work, He blesses my effort. 

The enemy is always in our way. He sets up traps to distract and destroy us. But when we follow God, regardless of the battle, the enemy has no control over us. 

The enemy would love for me to quit or waste my time, instead of serving God. That’s why I need to be intentional about my life and how I spend my time. I want to serve God all the days of my life. It is my heart’s desire to do His work, and be fruitful for Him. In order to do that, I need to seek Him daily, and ask Him to help me when things get hard. Instead of just giving up.

It has taken me some time to understand that every day we are in battle, and we need to figure out which side we are on. We can’t serve the Lord, following the enemy. 

Joshua 24:15  (KJV)

15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

Happy Monday!

Candida