Discipline Affects Everything

Every few months I reevaluate how well I am doing in each area of my life. I take a look at my spiritual life, my relationships, my physical and emotion health, are we staying on budget, and am I continuing to learn. Each time I do this review I have the same conversation with myself. Here is part of it. “Tim, you are doing okay in these areas, but you seem to be struggling in a few; why is that?” “Well, I can’t do everything right all the time. I am only a person, not God.” “But you know you could do better.” Have you talked to yourself like that? (I know I need professional help.)
This conversation does not have to be the same at each review. Oh, I know, we are not perfect; we are human. But, I can do better. Here is how. Discipline. What has become incredibly clear to me is that the lack of growth in any one of the areas I mentioned is not because of any outside force; it is only my lack of discipline that hinders me. That is great to know, and I could use it as an excuse. I could say “I am not disciplined, so I will never do any better” and live a defeated life. Or, I can start taking small steps to become more disciplined. This means work and will take motivation and energy. It will also make you seem strange, because not many choose to live life this way.
This has been the decision I have made. I am going to start working on two small things that I need to be more disciplined at and see how that will have an effect on other areas of my life. How about you? Any areas that you could work on? Anything at all? Give it a go; see if a little extra self discipline will be helpful.

-Pastor Tim