The Art of Discipline
When an artist makes that decision that they want to make a masterpiece they automatically commit the time and patience it takes to create it. Out of that discipline comes something beautiful. What is keeping you from deciding to create a masterpiece, something beautiful out of that discipline that is required from you by God to obtain your position in purpose?
Since the start of this year, God has really ministered to me the importance of being disciplined in this season. Not necessarily for the steps leading to my assignment and calling, but in the small areas in my life that needed discipline such as my health, praying/studying time, and finances. I started to get up at 5 a.m. in the morning to go to the gym, eat better, put in study time, spend some time off Facebook, and make sure I went to bed earlier enough to spend time with God. We tend to put off the small things in life that we have a hard time being consistent in as if they have no attachment or reference to what we are purposed to do. Yes, God I need to write my book, but I cannot seem to find the discipline to turn my plate over to fast and pray to get closer to You. Yes, God I need to start trademarking some things regarding a business, but I have a hard time keeping track of my bank account. Yes, God I need to develop a team for what you want me to do, but I can’t seem to find the time ( or refuse to find the time) to pray as much as I need to hear your directions clearly.
In scripture, Matthew 25:23 in the Amplified version states:
“His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful and trustworthy over a little, I will put you in charge of many things; share in the joy of your master.’”
The little things we do with inconsistency day after day is indeed important in how we will strive to achieve the big things. If you can’t budget finances in your household, how can you budget a business budget? If you can’t keep unhealthy food out of your mouth for a reasonable amount of time, get up to exercise, keep your legs closed and pants zipped, how can you minister to others to respect and treat their bodies as a Holy sacrifice unto God?
Let us define the word Discipline. Discipline from the Merriam-Webster dictionary states that Discipline is:
Training that corrects, molds, or perfects the mental faculties or moral character.
A: control gained by enforcing obedience or order
B: orderly or prescribed conduct or pattern of behavior
C: (it requires) SELF CONTROL!
What will keep you obedient, your conduct orderly, and maintain self-control? For one thing, this difficult task can’t and should not be done in your own strength. We are in constant need for God to guide us in all things, even in the “little things” we do with such inconsistency and treat as a low priority or throw it off as “this is just how I am”. Discipline builds character it makes us better people overall. Better for our purpose, better for our assignment, better friends, husbands, wives, etc. When we are disciplined in all things, Gods trust in us goes up 100 percent! I never want to be in the place where God doesn’t trust me with the huge things just because I was not faithful with the “oh so little things”.
I encourage you all to look over your life and locate those simple challenges in your life. Yes, they are simple because I believe you will be disciplined in those areas. You just need to make the decision to do so! My decision to choose discipline in my trouble areas has built up my confidence in knowing that I will do what God requires of me. Discipline yourself your trouble areas before you take on the big challenges. The purpose filled challenges. I guarantee you the outcome of the big challenge, due to your discipline in the small, will create something beautiful.
Be Blessed.