You're a week away from completing the challenge! 28 days were going to come and go anyway, but you're putting in the work and I pray you're seeing the progress of your efforts already. This week we've been talking about discipline. The definition of discipline (noun) is the practice of training people to obey rules or a code of behavior; activity or experience that provides mental or physical training. The definition of discipline (verb) is to punish or rebuke formally for an offense; train oneself to do something in a controlled and habitual way.
It really went there. Both "discipline" and "habit" were used in association with each other. Like we discussed last week, endurance isn't something you're born with, it's something you do, that you work on and toward. The same can be said of discipline. Some of us have better experiences with it than others. There are some of you who do well with controlling yourself mentally and/or physically (did I mention that I want to be your best friend?) and then there are people like me who know what's good for you, but often live with a "YOLO" attitude that is not-so-good.
When the Bible discusses discipline, it doesn't just mean the kind with the rod. In our scripture verse this week, Hebrews 12:11, the discipline that is being referred to is the education and training of the mind, morals, and the body, as well as the necessary correction such instruction requires. Yes, parents should discipline their children, but parents (and non-parents, too) also have a responsibility to live disciplined lives themselves.
When was the last time you had to actively discipline yourself? You know what I remember most about my first few years of college: macaroni and cheese for dinner every night, going to restaurants with my boyfriend on most days of the week, and ordering dessert all the time (no matter if my essays were written or not). My Momma always fed me well at home, and we didn't always have junk food or sweets on hand to overindulge, so you can bet that I indulged until I couldn't indulge a morsel more! And who could stop me? Adulting is easy when it "feels" good.
And yet, where did that leave me? Funnily enough, I was working part-time at the campus fitness center with (*gasp*) 10 extra pounds around my waist suddenly. I was a living contradiction, or so I felt. To be working at a gym, promoting health and fitness, but only the four to six hours my shift entailed. I was showing contempt for my own well-being in favor of right-here-right-now selfish, immediate gratification.
I wish I could tell you that I have put those behaviors to rest, trained myself mentally and physically to make better choices into everyday habits, but I'm still struggling. You see, I can read every diet book or fitness program, "like" every #transformationtuesday post on Instagram, and ask all of the ladies I look up to a million questions about how they stay so fit and look so amazing... but when I finally realized I had been disregarding my responsibility to take care of myself, it was already too late (to the tune of 50 pounds). And when you throw anxiety, depression, motherhood, and the up-and-downs of life, difficult times become unpleasant and painful, with no hope in sight.
I have been telling myself I have no self-control around food for years. It is especially bad when I'm feeling lousy or discouraged. I go right to food instead of the One Who can actually provide me with the peace and rest that I'm actually craving. You know what else is as crazy as thinking food can fill the God-sized hole in your heart? Giving away your birthright for a bowl of stew. That's exactly what Esau did. His reason? "I'm about to die, so what good is a birthright to me?" (Exodus 25:29-34) He may as well have said, "YOLO!" He was so hungry that he despised his own inheritance due to his desire for some instant gratification.
We may think to ourselves, I'll never do anything like Esau, but let's reflect for a moment on what the world says about instant gratification. The world says if you want it, you deserve it and you can have it NOW! Is wanting something right-this-second bad? It doesn't have to be! Wanting a cure for my son's severe Hemophilia isn't bad. It's hoping for a better quality of life for him and others who suffer from bleeding disorders. On the other hand, wanting a dress that I saw a friend wearing in her 21st birthday pictures on Facebook, scouring the internet for said dress, purchasing said dress without checking my budget, and wearing said dress even when it was the most unflattering piece of clothing I've ever owned... that's pretty bad. But I just had to have it because I would never be pretty or happy if I didn't own it.
Those instant gratification traps are everywhere now. There are YouTube channels with video after video of unboxing new product after new product. The accumulation of stuff has somehow become synonymous with happiness and success. We're constantly being "influenced" to buy this and try that, so much so that "influencer" is an actual paying occupation. What got lost in the influx of product sponsored highlight reels, is that the stuff worth having isn't actual stuff and that it has to be earned, not bought.
Our children are growing up in a world where if they want something they feel entitled to it, and Satan is making sure they have every opportunity to lust for more. We are growing further and further away from knowing what hard work actually is. Pleasure and desire is raised above all else. All you need in life according to the world, is to be comfortable and happy. Time isn't precious to us anymore in the world of "right now." Therefore, learning to discipline ourselves is so imperative to experience God's plan for our lives.
If we do not take His work seriously, we will not be able to see the fruits of the Spirit in our life. While our own self-care should be a priority, nothing should be above loving God and loving others. A little bit of luxury on this side of heaven is nothing compared to the forever that waits for us. If all of your sacrificing is for your own pleasure, you're missing out on all that God can offer you. And most things worth having, can only be attained by experiencing a little difficulty first.
Just as we should find joy in our afflictions, we should understand that the momentary pain of discipline will soon be gone with the wind. When we combine discipline with endurance and patience, the day that our goal comes to fruition will be one we do not hold with contempt. Doing the hard thing now is better than doing the thing later when it could be even harder. And you will be all the stronger for it; a walking, talking, breathing example of the faithfulness, forgiveness, and grace of God.
Before I wrap up for the week, I want to share one final thought: we should be disciplining ourselves to be living examples of Christ to the world. We are not doing hard things to receive favors and blessings, although God does bless us for our obedience, and always when we least deserve it. We do hard things because it shows the world just how strong our Father is. And all of our victories are pointing back to Him.
Now, where does this all tie into our habit challenge? I'm glad you asked! Even as an adult, you'll need accountability and boundaries in your life. There are things that I know are good for me, and yet I still choose to do the things that add very little to my life. It's called being human, but our ultimate destination is Heaven. If we use our challenge as a way to practice self-discipline, when things get tougher somewhere down the road, we will be just a bit stronger and more able to persevere through the situation. Practice makes progress, after all! If we start living more responsibly, we can avoid some hardship later on or at least lessen it.
One day at a time, Reader! I'm praying that God continues to strengthen and equip you to do difficult things all for His purpose and glory!
