What am I doing?
These were daily questions I asked myself as I sat with books spread across the bed, spirals in my lap, and a pen in my hand. I was in graduate school to obtain my nurse practitioner degree. I was an older student—37, divorced, and a mom to one daughter. Being a mom, a full-time student, and working full time took strategic planning and daily discipline.
In all we do, whether it is working, cleaning, shopping, working out, attending church, or obtaining a degree, we must have discipline.
The same goes for our walk with the Lord and our continued spiritual growth—we must have spiritual discipline.
So, what is spiritual discipline?
Spiritual discipline is a tool that helps us form a deeper connection with God and opens our hearts to spiritual formation. The practices of spiritual discipline include prayer, Bible study, worship, solitude, and service. The prayers Jesus prayed are recorded at least twenty-five times in the Gospels. We also see His example through fasting for 40 days in the wilderness, public worship, Bible reading, solitude and silence, service, and meditation.
Sitting here at the computer writing this blog takes discipline. I could find a million other things to do instead of this. But I have goals, and goals require discipline.
The same goes for my relationship with the Lord. I have desires in my heart for things I want to do in His Kingdom, but it will take discipline.
What areas of your life do you need to be more disciplined in? Are you wanting to work out more, eat less, watch less television, or spend less time on social media? Or does your discipline with the Lord need to be fine-tuned?
The more we practice discipline, the stronger we become and the easier it gets.
How frequently do people become injured or ill, making them unable to exercise? The longer one goes without working out, the easier it becomes not to work out.
In 1 Timothy 4:7, the Apostle Paul teaches that while physical discipline is good, it is even more important to train for godliness. In other words, train in spiritual discipline.
When we quit attending church, reading Scripture, and praying, it becomes harder to maintain those habits. If we spend five to ten minutes practicing spiritual discipline every day, staying consistent becomes easier. It is a daily process. A.W. Tozer once said, “We should discipline ourselves to read the Word until it comes alive… until we can almost feel the breath of God.”
As Proverbs 13:20 says, “Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble.”
Seek those who actively pursue God, engage with Him, and serve others. You are set apart for God, but you will need other people to help you. Most importantly, you must ask God to empower you. As the Holy Spirit continues to guide you, your discipline will strengthen over time.
