Self Discipline

To really achieve goals and dreams you would think it would take money, power, connections, or even fame. But what we really need is self  discipline. Don't get me wrong, all those things I listed above are great but self discipline is one of the essential keys to accomplishments. Here are a few things I want to point out.

#1. Self discipline is an absolute pursuit towards a goal and it will abandon all temptations and distractions. It does not compromise the tasks in front of us.

#2. Self discipline makes order by organizing the priorities in our lives. A person with no order will live a life with no direction that has no destination in life. Sadly to say a lot of people in this generation does not know what order means or know how to live with order.

#3. Self discipline is not a GIFT it is a fruit that must be labored and worked for. We have to yield to self discipline because it will not yield to us. People will always make excuses why they do not have discipline. The number one excuse is time and I have to say, this excuse is baloney. Everyone has time, they just don't want to sacrifice their habits such as TV, video games, sports, movies, computer... Are these things bad? NOT AT ALL but they are not meant to pull you away from what needs to be done in order to accomplish what needs to be done)

#4. Self discipline requires accountability to another person. You can not just define discipline on your own. The Bible says "Every man thinks he pure in his own sight" Proverbs 30:12. Pray for someone who lives a disciplined life and has fruit to show for it and yield to that person to help you and correct you.

#5. Self discipline makes the most of your time. You can always tell who is wasting time and who is making their time productive. Being busy isn't the same as productive. Being busy is just being occupied with something, being productive is creating or harvesting something.  Stop being busy and start living productively.

Some final thoughts...

Jesus' prayer life was centered on self discipline, it was a lifestyle he chose. Jesus' ministry was an absolute mission that was fulfilled. In fact, Jesus died empty which means he did everything he was supposed to do. He didn't hang on the cross and thought to himself "Shoot I should have ________" Nope, there wasn't a "Should have" or a "Would have" or even a "Could have". Why? Because he was disciplined and FOCUSED on what needed to be done.
Sure you can ask God to give you strength for discipline but at the end of the day, it up to you do live it and that's what I called FREE WILL. You have the ability to choose what you want to spend your time on. Either you'll waste time or make the most of your time by disciplining yourself with priorities that have a future.