This year my personal focus is self-discipline. As I’ve been partnering with God to discover new ways to apply discipline in my life, I have found that it is indeed something that addresses every area of my life. It’s turning out to be a complete life makeover with God leading the way. The point is to maintain consistency with all the new changes and step up some of the existing disciplines I have already learned to implement over the years.
As the year unfolds, I am sure that the following list will increase and become more defined, but for now here are the areas of my life that I feel God has been encouraging and challenging me to apply consistent self-discipline to:
Physical health and fitness: On January 16 I will begin a 90 day fitness challenge to apply self-discipline in the area of nutrition and exercise. The goal is to attain and maintain a healthy body weight. Today was my first PRE-contest workout with one of the trainers. Discipline is definitely the word I would use to describe it, difficult and painful at the time, but the hope is that it will produce good results.
Time: Every minute God gives to me is precious, make it count.
Money: Every cent God has entrusted me with is an opportunity.
Mind: Thoughts matter, sometimes they can clutter my mind. I have been given control over my thoughts. A clear mind helps to tap into the undiscovered creativity in my mind.
Prayer: Consistent personal prayer and prayer for those the Lord has given me to pray for.
Learning: Remain teachable and consistent in reading, studying, memorizing and writing.
Serving: Life presents daily opportunities to serve and minister to others. Use my personal gifts or skills to bless others.
Work: Each of us has work to do. Whatever work I am doing, do it as for God with excellence for Him.
Writing this list has made it even more clear to me that self-discipline is truly a gift of the Holy Spirit and I am going to need Him and rely on Him consistently that I may accomplish what He has put before me.
