I advise you to go ahead and stop reading unless you want a lot of life’s problems solved.

Still reading?

You’re a lot like me, then. And, most likely, a lot like me, you have some things in your life that you’d like to be different. You’d like this changed, or that changed – a closer walk with God, a better handle on your finances, a deeper connection with your friends and family. Or maybe they’re things like improving your health, or having the money to tithe on the regular, or fixing your messy house that’s driving you crazy. Maybe it’s holding your tongue in an argument or speaking up when you need to.

What if I told you a lot of the issues that you see can be fixed with two words?

These two words cover a whole HOST of issues in life, and they are: self-discipline. 

(Is it technically one word if it’s hyphenated? Ah, who cares.)

Self-discipline, I believe, is the cure to a whole host of evils. Look at this definition from Oxford Languages (via Google): the ability to control one's feelings and overcome one's weaknesses; the ability to pursue what one thinks is right despite temptations to abandon it.

What! Control my feelings AND overcome my weaknesses? Sign me up!

I mean, think about it—if I don’t have money to tithe because I spend it all, a little self-discipline can change my spending habits. If I get in fights with my siblings because I pop off every time they make me mad, a little self-discipline can help me to keep my mouth closed until I am ready to respond in a manner that’s patient and kind. If I want to get healthier and am having trouble doing it, a little self-discipline in my lifestyle will help me towards those goals. 

If self-discipline is so great, why’s it so hard? Let’s look at the Word on this.

This is from Hebrews 12:11, and it’s talking about the discipline of God, but it applies here too, I think: “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

Discipline is PAINFUL. Our flesh doesn’t like to be disciplined. Think of your flesh like a big, overgrown toddler. It wants what it wants, when it wants it, and not a second later. But remember this verse – if you live according to the flesh, you will surely die.

Whoa! That seems harsh, doesn’t it? But think about what the flesh wants. It wants to express all its anger. It wants to gratify its every desire, whether that desire leads to good or evil. Have you ever seen Willy Wonka? Remember Veruca Salt’s song? Look it up – that’s what your flesh is like. It’ll help you to discipline your flesh when it’s throwing a fit to be heard (I want the doughnut! Now!). It WILL calm down and you’ll be better for your good decisions in the long run.

So how do we get it? Do we work hard, trying to muster up this strength of will? Eh. It’ll be harder that way. And you’ll probably be frustrated with yourself. I think we should look at the Word again, in Galatians 5: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. So there you have it. Ask God to develop that fruit in you, and next time you have the opportunity to choose, choose discipline!