For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. 2 Timothy 1:7 (NKJV)
All success is preceded by one small but powerful habit: self-discipline. Getting up at the crack of dawn for a jog, completing work assignments on time, and sticking with a diet all require self-discipline.
In biblical times, a city’s walls were its security, keeping good in and the bad out. Proverbs 25:28 (NIV) says: “Like a city whose walls are broken through is a person who lacks self-control.” Someone who lacks self-discipline lacks the ability to control what they bring in, keep out and put out in life.
For example, without self-discipline, it’s impossible to eat a healthy diet. You bring in foods that damage your health. Without self-discipline, you let out emotional outbursts that damage relationships, saying things you wish you could take back. A life without self-control is a painful emotional roller coaster ride of ups and downs.
Self-discipline, on the other hand, equals strength. The funny thing about self-discipline is that you may have no problem in one area of your life and yet be completely undisciplined in another. Wherever you have success, you will find self-discipline. It’s the areas where you struggle that lack it. Think about one area where you could use a dose of self-discipline and determine to work on it.
Remember, God is on your side and He’ll infuse you with power if you feel weak and tempted to cave in to your old ways. Just ask.