Discipline-the big "D" word

Recently, I got the opportunity to blog at a new website for pastors at www.pastorconnections.com
Growing up, I knew to stay away from many words. There were 3 letter words and four letter words that I was never allowed to say. There were some five letter words that were to never be said in public but could be talked about in private. Some six letter words were only to be mentioned with certain people in the room. But as a teenager the infamous 10 letter word was the word that no one liked to hear but everyone knew it was a word that was necessary. This word would affect your priorities, your success as a leader, your character, your friends, the information you learned, the places you went, the health of your body, your skills and talents, spiritual gifts, and many times the longevity of your life and ministry. The 10 letter word: DISCIPLINE And as I grew older through my teens years and into adulthood it seemed the more I had-DISCIPLINE, the less I was DISCIPLINED! (Which was always a good thing.) How disciplined are you? Here is what I'm learning which is probably obvious to all: Discipline takes focus, energy, and planning and is difficult, painful, and many times boring. However, the fruit of discipline is preparation, influence, and impact. Undiscipline comes natural, takes no planning, and is really easy to have, and sometimes is fun. Yet, the consequence of undiscipline is laziness, small thinking, little influence, and a hectic life. Discipline helps lead us toward producing "fruit of the Spirit". Think about it: It takes discipline to speak kindly toward an person who has been unkind-that is LOVE. It takes discipline to not allow your circumstances to dictate your happiness-JOY. It takes discipline to wait on something or someone-PATIENCE. It takes discipline to stick around and finish something-FAITHFULNESS. It takes discipline to not indulge or to hold back, or show restraint-SELF-CONTROL. So what area do you show the most amount of discipline in? Caring for people, studying God's Word, finishing a project, being in the office, returning phone calls and emails, loving people, witnessing to those who are far from God? Where do you show the least amount of discipline? Scheduling ahead of time, leading your family, exercising, being home on time, encouraging your co-workers, visiting the widows and caring for the orphans? This week, ask God to give you discipine in the areas in which you are weak, and thank God for giving you discipline in the areas in which you are strong! -Casey Cariker