Proverbs 12:1 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid.
The word discipline in the Bible verse above means training, education, learning, instruction, reproof, and correction. This word discipline encompasses the full field of learning, including trying, failing, gaining from mistakes, willing to be wrong and seeking to be better. This environment of self-discipline is how we grow. Sometimes that includes a bit of pain. Yep, ‘no pain, no gain.’ I feel that!! I am picking up running again and, for now, I’m not running very far or that many times a week. I used to. I even trained and ran in the Long Beach marathon. But that was a lot of years ago and my discipline in running is not as refined. See, the thing about discipline is it includes some hardships, pains, difficulties, and a lot of physical discomforts and emotional hurdles to overcome. Grit (that willingness to press on, facing and embracing the aches and pains of life) is like a muscle that needs to be exercised to reach its full strength for the less we try the more it atrophies. Yet, when we gain a love for discipline and don’t mind the reproof, that correction when we are not right or that sense of taking ownership for our mistakes, we are able to learn, grow, and thrive.
Hebrews 12:11 For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
Titus 1:8 Be hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.
Proverbs 25:28 A man without self-controlis like a city broken into and left without walls.
2 Timothy 1:7 For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
The upside of self-discipline is not only will we accomplish things, but it builds patience, understanding, adaptability, confidence, grit, perseverance, a greater work ethic, and more. How could you step up to a bit more self-discipline?
Church can be a place to help foster some self-discipline in faith and living life God’s way. If you do not already have a church you attend, we would like to invite you to view or visit Neighborhood Church. We are a fun, welcoming church that loves God and seeks to live life His way. Each Sunday we study the Bible and have a great time together. We would love for you to join us. Our website has all the information you need for times and locations of all our gatherings. You can also find us online at neighborhoodchurch.com. As well, if you would like to view any of our past worship gatherings or videos, visit our YouTube channel, or just search Neighborhood Church Cypress or Neighborhood Church Los Alamitos on their YouTube site.
Finding the upside of self-discipline along with you,
Messages From Mike 
