Let Discipline Be Your Friend

“The secret of discipline is motivation. When a man is sufficiently motivated, discipline will take care of itself.”

—ALEXANDER PATTERSON

For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.

—2 Timothy 1:7

The word discipline usually causes people to groan, but it actually should be seen as a good friend that helps us get what we want in life. Discipline helps us do what we know we should do, but probably will not do without help. Discipline helps us! You may be thinking, Yes, but it sure hurts. That is true, but it also brings order, good fruit, and eventually freedom.

One thing that hurts worse than learning discipline is a life that is a never-ending complicated mess. The pain of change is always better than the agony of never changing. Ask yourself if you would rather feel bad and be weak all your life, or instead, discipline yourself to exercise and enjoy feeling healthy and strong? Would you like to continue eating junk food and have bad health, or discipline yourself for changing to a healthier lifestyle and enjoy good health and long life? Would you like to be out of debt and be able to pay cash for what you need? Then you must discipline yourself to live within your means. Would you like your home to be neat, clean, and in order? If so, you must discipline yourself to keep it that way. It won’t happen by any other means.