Practicing Self-Discipline: Three Keys to Making Yourself Do Something

Practicing self-discipline remains one of the most sought-after traits of the practical life. I hate to be gloomy but consider the following: The people you admire most for their accomplishments are probably no smarter than you; they just studied longer. The person who got the promotion probably has no greater ability than you, he or she just worked harder. To practice self-discipline consistently consider the following:

1. What you do today reaps benefits tomorrow

Maintain focus on the task at hand, endeavoring to stay inspired: lift the concept out of coercion and turn it into inspiration. When you are inspired to do a task, you are much more likely to complete the task. In Galatians 6:7–8, we learn about the benefits of keeping to a task: “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.”

2. See self-discipline as an ally

Until you see self-discipline as an ally, you will never fully submit to its demands. The practice of self-discipline

God’s will is for us to practice self-discipline.

deserves loving not loathing. Remember self-discipline is not your enemy. Self-control is, after all, a fruit of the Spirit. In Galatians 5:22–25 we learn about the fruits: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” God’s will is for us to practice self-discipline.

3. Ask for help

If you struggle maintaining self-discipline, reach out. We all benefit from wise input from friends, relatives, teachers, and mentors. Consider how a child benefits from discipline: discipline is not something a parent does to a child it is something a parent does for a child. The youth who emerges from childhood with a good handle on discipline is fortunate indeed.

In sum, the writer of Proverbs offered this wisdom: “Whoever has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down, without walls”—a picture of chaos indeed. (Proverbs 25:28). It is indeed a victory to rule your spirit. It was Harry S. Truman, also interested in the subject of self-discipline, who remarked, “In reading the lives of great men, I found that the first victory they won was over themselves…self-discipline with all of [the men] came first.” Today start with self-discipline.

Resources and Links:

Excerpt from Educational Growth: Practice Self-Discipline.

If you would like to view the entire lesson by J. Mark Jordan and other courses like this, visit Ministry Central.