How do you and I become disciplined people?
Becoming self-disciplined begins with a conviction from Romans 15:3 that “even Christ did not please himself.” In the same way, we should not seek to please ourselves. This is the foundation.
Here are 7 practical suggestions of where to start in living a more disciplined life:
1. Begin with Little Things
Don’t try to run or fly; start by walking, and even crawling if need be. Do the little things. A disciplined person will always seek to avoid making unnecessary work for others, so hang up your clothes, put your trash in the garbage can and help with the children; don’t wait for others to do it for you.
2. Break the Habit of Procrastinating
Don’t avoid challenging responsibilities but welcome them and tackle them quickly. Don’t say, “Tomorrow I’ll do it. Later I’ll find the time.” Do them right away so that they are done. It is hard, but if you do this, you will find that things will be much easier in the end.
3. Be Punctual for Your Appointments
It is a myth that important people should be late to meetings. If others have to wait for you, you are being undisciplined. Plan enough time into your schedule to ensure that you make all of your meetings on time.
4. Master Your Moods
Discipline yourself to deal with the feel-sad and feel-good moods throughout your day. Do not allow your feelings to influence your work negatively. Make your moods obey you.
5. Control Your Curiosity
We should not busy ourselves trying to find out everybody’s problems. You be concerned about your own business. Curiosity about other people’s business can make you imagine things, and the devil will use that against you.
6. Learn to Wait
To grab something before God’s timing is to spoil it. Let us be a people known for our patience.
Discipline Takes Time
Many of these things cannot be changed overnight. Nothing changes instantly. We have developed patterns and habits from our culture and our own behavior, so be patient with yourself and others.
Don’t become angry with people who are struggling in these areas. Instead, go forward learning, growing and helping others. By walking in self-discipline, we surround our lives with walls of protection that keep us and the ministry safe.
7. Start Today
Today, evaluate where you are currently with these small disciplines. Set achievable goals for yourself to grow in self-discipline.
Dr. KP Yohannan, founder and international director of Gospel for Asia, has written more than 200 books, including Revolution in World Missions, and international bestseller with more than 3 million copies in print. He and his wife, Gisela, have two grown children, Daniel and Sarah, who both serve the Lord with their families.
Gospel for Asia is a nonprofit serving the “least of these” in Asia since its beginning in 1979, often in places where no one else is serving. Gospel for Asia supports national workers who are serving as the hands and feet of Christ by ministering to people’s needs so they can understand the love of God for them for the first time. Gospel for Asia is engaged in dozens of projects, such as caring for poor children, slum dwellers and widows and orphans; providing clean water by funding wells; supporting medical missions; and meeting the needs of those in leprosy colonies. Through Gospel for Asia’s Bridge of Hope Program, tens of thousands of children are being rescued from the generational curses of poverty and hopelessness.
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Comment below what goal you set for yourself, and we will pray that the Lord will help you to see that change in your life.
