There is one thing that every human being battle and battle with in life. This thing can reflect in habits, mannerisms, characters and behaviours. It is the battle with self to overcome unwanted circumstances. Many of us have had occasions where we tended to give in to our disgrace, failures and retrogressions. Many of us reading this devotional, if given time to reflect back on our old life, we will come out with so many memories of how many times we vowed not to allow certain trait in life defeat us. But time and again, we see ourselves caving in to the pressures of the traits.
The good news to Christians here is that, self-discipline has potentials to place us back on success roads and pleasurable life experiences. We are living in a world that evil things pressurize our minds daily. Many have committed evils that ought to have been avoided if self-discipline is applied. This devotional comes to assure you, if you’re almost giving up on being good because you had several times fallen below the life standards set for yourself. Applying self-discipline based on the Words of God will see you through your messy life.
Literally put, self-discipline is the ability to control ourselves, actions and reactions. Merriam Webster Dictionary defines self-discipline as “the ability to regulate ourselves for the sake of improvements.” Christian race is that which demands daily improvements so to attain godliness and to clinch the heavenly rewards. There are lots of distractions on the way to make heaven. Therefore, we all need to apply tangible self-discipline on ourselves. Self-discipline is a necessity for the Christian race if we want to finish the race and receive the associated rewards. One outstanding Biblical model for self-discipline is Joseph. By spectacular application of self-discipline, he resisted sleeping with his master’s wife.This earned him jail term. However, he came out of jail straight to ministerial position next to Pharaoh in Egypt.
Apostle Paul in the Bible disciplined himself, by bringing his body to subjection to live worthy life of the gospel so that he will not be disqualified after preaching to others (1 Cor. 9: 27). Is there anyone reading this devotional today that is thinking suicide due to series of failure in life? Please don’t. A little application of self-discipline will soon surge you up into life celebrity. Just look at the other sides of your formidable problems and see solutions to the problems. Take a positive look at the so called reality of the problems, and develop certain skills by self-discipline and see breakthrough comes on your ways. The second part of this devotional will proffer some steps to self-discipline. Please come along with us. God is about announcing you!
PRAYERS:
1. Jehovah my Father, I pray that you empower my positive thinking capacity to discover ways to discipline myself to attain meaningful life in Jesus name.
2. Take authority over your negative pictures of life the devil has been giving by the Blood of Jesus, and call good thoughts into your mind.
POSITIVE CONFESSION:
I embrace the wisdom of God to discover principles of self-discipline in life from today forward. Amen!!
bishopubaudenyi@hopealivechurch