Monday, January 15, 2007

Self Discipline

Since writing my previous post on balanced lifestyle last week, I've been thinking quite a bit about 2 Timothy 1:7 (a verse which I believe God has given me in the beginning of 2007, especially after a goal setting seminar and workshop that I attended).

I confess that when I don't live in God's strength (but on my own), I often lack the spirit of power, of love and self-discipline. When that happens, I often experience timidity in life, in ministry and in business.

Kc asked if self-discipline is related to submission in the comment of my previous entry. That really got me thinking about self-discipline in depth. The Greek word for self-control (the fruit of the Holy Spirit) comes from a root word meaning "to grip" or "take hold of." This word describes people who are willing to get a grip on their lives and take control of areas that will bring them success or failure.

In a CD that I heard yesterday, the speaker said that the most valuable lesson that we could learn is the ability to make ourselves do the thing we have to do, when it ought to be done, whether you like it or not. It's always hard to have the self discipline. Hard work is really the accumulation of the easy things we didn't do when we should have.

John Maxwell said that self-discipline is the price tag of leadership. There are two paths that people can take. They can either play now and pay later or pay now and play later. I think the concept of "Pay now, play later" is an important self discipline. There is really no such thing as a "free lunch." A business associate said something which really makes sense - A person without decision of character can never be said to belong to himself. He belongs to whatever can make captive of him. When we pay later the price is greater (consider the interest rate of your credit card).

I am committed to doing the things I have to do that causes growth and help me achieve my goals and God-given dreams, rather than just doing the things I like to do. That really takes self discipline. I pray that I can always take hold of my life in submission to God so that I can truly have the self discipline - after all, the water does not flow until the faucet is turned on!

12 comments:

Godwyn Lim said...

I am praying with you sister Kitty!

Let go, Let God:-) Amen?!

Kitty Cheng said...

Thank you brother Godwyn. Yes letting go and letting God is extremely important! Amen!

Kc said...

Sis that's exactly how I see self discipline as being submission. I fear too often we wait to be discipled rather than submitting to God's word and discipling ourselves. ;-)

Curious Servant said...

That sounds healthy, Kitty...

I haven't been here in a long time.

Glad to see you still going strong.

God bless.

Kitty Cheng said...

Kc, thanks for prompting me to think about the importance of submitting to God's word to have self discipline. I am at times guilty of waiting to be discipled rather than submitting to God's word though.

Kitty Cheng said...

Hey cs, it's good to see your comment again. I haven't been in your blog in a long time. I must visit you there....

God Bless!

Radagast said...

Happy New Year!

May you succeed in your programme for 2007!

Radagast said...

I always thought that the Greek word for self-discipline came from the roots for "save" and "mind" -- I must look it up...

Kitty Cheng said...

Thank you Radagast! Happy New Year to you too!

Let me know what you find out about the root word for self-discipline. According to my mentor, the Greek word for self-control is "to grip" or "take hold of."

audrey` said...

Wow!

This is a very important post.
Thank you for sharing Kitty.

I must be more self-disciplined too =)

Kitty Cheng said...

yes audrey, self-discipline is extremely important!

Radagast said...

I posted on my blog about it.