Words From Our Pastor
Learning Self Discipline
Learning self-discipline is critical in life. It is the ability to regulate one’s conduct by principle and soundjudgment, rather than by impulse, desire, custom or culture. The Biblical word for self-discipline isobedience. To exercise self-discipline is to avoid evil by staying within the guidelines of the Word of God (Pro. 1:10; I Cor. 9:24-27). I’m indebted to my parents, professors, preachers, parishioners andothers (coaches) who helped me develop self-discipline in my own life. When one possess the ability toconcentrate, focus and purpose their own goals consistently, success becomes a reality (Philippians3:14). Since self-discipline is so important, how does a young person develop it? Here are six helpfulhints:Begin With the Small Stuff Clean your room, do your chores and put things where they belong when they are out of place.Get to the point where order matters.When you are disciplined in small matters it helps prepare you for success in life. It’s the little foxes that ruin the vineyards.“When it comes to your integrity and credibility, there are no small issues. Get Yourself Organized and Be On Time. (I Cor. 14:40; Eph. 5:15-16)Make a schedule and stick to it.Have a to-do list of things you need to accomplish using a daily planning book or personal information
manager program on your computer.If you don’t control your time, everything and everyone else will!Be on time for engagements. Being punctual marks a life that is organized and under control (Eph. 5:18).Being on time acknowledges the importance of other people and the value of
their
time (Ps. 139:14, 15;
Eph. 5:16). Keep Your Word and Finish What You Start (Phil. 1:6; James 1:22-25)Do not promise what you cannot perform. When you say you are going to do something do it when and
how you said youwould.That calls for discipline to properly evaluate whether you have the time and capability to do something.Self-discipline will enable to do it. Accept Correction (Pro. 19:20; Pro. 15:31-32; Eph. 6:1-2)It will help you develop self-discipline by showing you what you need to avoid. Thus it should not be rejected but gladlyaccepted.Correction will bless your life. Practice Self-Denial and Don’t Constantly Seek to be Entertained (Gal. 5:16-Matt. 16:24-25)Learn to say no to your impulses and feeling. Skip dessert after a mealOccasionally deny yourself pleasures that are perfectly legitimate for you to enjoy. Refraining from those
things will remindyour body who is in charge (I Cor. 6:18-20).When you have free time, do things that are productive instead of merely entertaining. Read a good book,
take awalk or have a conversation. Welcome Responsibility (Matthew 20:28)Volunteer to do things that need to be done. That will force you to have your life organized enough to have the time for suchpursuits. In summary live every aspect of your life to the glory of God (I Cor. 10:31) and self discipline will be cultivated in the seeminglymundane things of life that will spill over into the spiritual realm.We are praying for you! The best is yet to come!!
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