Tuesday, September 04, 2007

Self-Discipline

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

2 Peter 1:5-8

I will confess. I struggle! And one area that I really struggle with is that of self-discipline. I like to do lots of things to please other people. But when something doesn't involve someone else and I have to do it for myself - I struggle. If no one is going to ask me how I am doing - I struggle.

Therefore, I will make myself accountable to someone else.

How do you self-discipline yourself to do things that are hard for you to do?

I know I'm not the only one!

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I am interested to hear what advice you get. I also struggle with self discipline.

Definantly having someone to keep you accountable helps!

Anonymous said...

Hi Ann,

So I am beginning to read a new book called "The Complete Book of Discipleship" by Bill Hull. In the opening chapter, I read a few paragraphs that reminded me of your most recent posting...

"The great Christian apologist C.S. Lewis wrote that the word he detested most was 'interference.' Interference occurs when someone sticks his nose in your business. However, that's precisely what discipleship is all about. If you want to grow in a meaningful way, you not only must tolerate another person's intimate knowledge of you, you must also willingly invited that person into your life. Even more startling, you'll grow to love and depend on the 'interference.'

Most of us want to reap the harvest of a discipline while while living a life of relative sloth. We want all the benefits of humility and growth without without being humble or working to grow. Yet Scripture states clearly that we require a great deal of interference to stem the tide of our self-indulgence. This positive interference lies at the very heart of making disciples--a process Jesus described as teaching others 'to obey everything I have commanded you' (Matt. 28:20)."

Okay, so that was a long quote...but I think it points out that we all struggle with discipline because it is simply hard work!

May we all become more disciplined in our walk with the Lord! Maybe this is why Paul told Timothy to "exercise yourself towards godliness" (1 Tim. 4.7b).

Well, I guess I should go exercise now (both physically and spiritually) after my comment!

Arrgh!
Gunnar

Anonymous said...

You are not alone, Bella! We all struggle with self-discipline in one way or another...the main point is how many of us are aware of it and also how many of us are willing to do something about it...I was reading about Paul and Silas persevering in their witness about the Lord and I was reminded that with Christ all things are possible...We need Him to be organized, cleaned and disciplined...I think that if we look at self-discipline as something fun to do, not as a chore, or if we somehow trick our minds to think of ourselves as a different person we can reach out to, then we may make a step forward...no matter what, Jesus knows our heart and desires, and He will fulfill them in His time and His way...so don't give up:)