Joy of Self-Discipline

 

    Self-discipline is something that you have to work at to direct your thoughts, attitudes, passions, and actions toward joy.  It is when your intentions defeat indulgence, your mind wins over your moods, or the Holy Spirit has more influence than your human desires.  When you have self discipline you take charge of your emotions, so you can have joy.

    If you do not have self-discipline, then you are a slave to to your feelings, moods, and life conditions.  You will never feel like you are on solid ground and it will destroy your joy.  Self-discipline is embracing the uncomfortable moment for the long term benefits.  It id doing what you don't want to do in the moment, so you can have something better in the future.  

    You need self-discipline to workout, raise a Godly family, keep a good attitude at work, balance your diet, be financially stable, and more.  You need it because it overrides unproductive emotions that lead to self-destructive behaviors.  There is a difference between what you can't do and what you won't do.  The won't develop bad habits.

    Self-discipline helps you fight against the right now culture where no one really succeeds by curving your impulsive nature and keeping yourself in check.  You sacrifice a little today for something better tomorrow.  Your feelings don't have to dictate your choices.  You can take a moment to think logically.  Pray for wisdom and guidance before making a move.  This way you can move forward with a clear conscience.  

    Do you want to upgrade your emotional life?  Learn to utilize self-discipline to turn your feelings into something productive.  Focus on God, then your feelings can lead to joy, passion, and satisfaction in life.  It just takes a little time and patience.  Seeking God's plan to follow it will bring enthusiasm and joy into your life because it is the greatest goal to achieve.

    Self-discipline leads to authentic joy.  It helps you fulfill your full potential in life.  You are able to see the defining moments in life more clearly instead of going through the motions.  You have the power to change your life by changing who you are.  It is not comfortable or easy, but the rewards far better in the long run.

    Learning self-discipline will feel unnatural and unrewarding the in the beginning.  Persevere or you will never discover your full potential in life.  Energy will return to you.  You can see the blessings in your life easier.  Your life will be more pleasing to God.  It takes faith to live a consistent life, but it produces the fruit of the Spirit.  

Proverbs 25:27-28, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Galatians 5:22-23, 2 Timothy 1:5- 7, & 2 Peter 1:5-7