Discipline is the bridge between thoughts and accomplishment. - A.R. Bernard
Why do we find it so hard to maintain disciplined lives? Do we need discipline in order to be disciplined? Sounds like an oxymoron, but actually its more like setting yourself up to complete the task no matter what. For me, it's a matter of setting up a series of steps so that it becomes automatic, I do it without thinking. So whether it's adding to my savings, reading/studying my Bible daily or as simple as taking my vitamins everyday, what am I doing to make sure that I'm not setting myself up for failure?
Get organized, plan your day in advance. If you wait for something to sneak up on you, guess what...it will! Try to avoid surprises by getting as much of your house in order in advance.
Understand that change is a process and it won't happen overnight. Part of being undisciplined stems from disappointment. Either I tried before and it didn't work, I didn't see results or I just plain got impatient on waiting. Remember that change may not be evident in your own eyes - in fact it may seem you're still stuck in the same position - but once true change happens other will see it. You'll start to grow without even knowing it.
Don't condemn yourself when things don't go exactly as planned. I'm a perfectionist and it ticks me off when things aren't exactly right. But that's ok. God doesn't require perfection of me and neither should I!
Stay focused on the goal and make sure it's clear. When I was in a wheelchair and frustrated about the fact that I was there, one thing that kept me motivated to push through physical therapy was the vision of seeing myself walking again. It wasn't easy and the tears and emotional pain were sometimes too much to bear, but somehow I pressed through the pain and saw myself at the finish line. I was determined to get out of that wheelchair no matter what. That same tenacity is what I need right now in my spiritual walk.Â
Philippians 3:14 says I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. The implication is that whatever you're pressing against isn't easy to move because it's in turn pressing against you. But the challenge is to keep pressing regardless. Eventually whatever you're pressing against - whether it's lack of discipline, healthy lifestyle, depression, emotions, fear, etc. - will at some point give way to the pressure. So keep pressing Ladybug even when it seems like the pressure is too much to bear. God's got your back to give your the extra strength to resist the temptation and give you all the discipline you'll ever need.