Self-discipline is one of the fruit of the spirit which every believer needs to be able to achieve a lot in life. Everyone in this life desires to prosper in all spheres of his life. The wise people set out Goals and objectives which they stick to in order to arrive at that planned and exciting destination. I takes a self-disciplined lifestyle in order to accomplish the set out goals in life.
Let’s take a look at an example of an athlete who spends his time training, putting in all the hard work in order to be fit and well prepared for any future competitions. He has a task at hand to stay focused in the midst of the various disruptions that may distort/fail his plan.
Do you know what you want? A person who knows exactly what he wants possesses a plan and vision which cultivates that self-discipline in him, eventually aiding him to overcome all personal challenges and set-backs such as laziness, compromise, negativity, self-pity.
4 then David and the people who were with him lifted up their voices and wept, until they had no more power to weep. 5 And David’s two wives, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail the widow of Nabal the Carmelite, had been taken captive. 6 Now David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was [a]grieved, every man for his sons and his daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God. 1 Samuel 30:4-6 NKJV
In moments when you feel exhausted and frustrated, self-motivation is a necessity as you have to think positive in line with scripture as you declare the word of God over your life. David encouraged himself in the lord while at Ziklag in the midst of the tough situation that had befallen his people and the city. The city had been looted, burnt and the women taken as captives by the enemies. Instead of sinking back in discouragement, he wisely decided to encourage himself in the lord. This showcases that a believer not only has to rely on his pastor and Christian fellowships for encouragement. He has to encourage himself when need arises and that is maturity.
Self-discipline helps Christians to live soberly with a focused mind on the lord. Lack of a disciplined lifestyle makes people get occupied with lots of ungodly things such as worry, negativity, idolatry, and fear which eventually breed delays and a negative impact on their destinies if minds don’t get renewed early enough.
There is a time for everything on the earth. Being organized that is knowing what to and when to do it is an important aspect that is entailed in self-discipline. As
Christians we have to know that there is a time to work and a time to pray. This therefore calls for a balanced spiritual and physical life of a believer. Relying on one and neglecting the other ends you up in limiting God and also hinders you from attaining certain things that God had prepared for you.
For whom the LORD loves He chastens,
And scourges every son whom He receives.” Hebrews 12:6
To a greater extent Self-discipline is a working of the holy-spirit in a man as the lord says that he disciplines those that he loves. Because we are loved by God and he does not want any of us to end up being condemned with the world, he disciplines us through allowing various challenging situations to come our way so that we remain humble and learn more from him.
Shalom!