Godly Discipline

“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid.” Proverbs 12:1 (Direct scriptural quote not my words – New International Version)Depending on how you grew up the word discipline carries negative connotations. Like many of my contemporaries I grew up with a strong hand, corporal punishment, and a neighborhood of snitches. Driven by fear, you do things so that you didn’t upset the ruling authority not only at home but anywhere you went. It’s no wonder when people hear the word discipline they hear harsh punishment and rigid rules. That I’m happy to say is not godly discipline. God desires that we exercise discipline in our lives but He doesn’t do it with a harsh hand or abusive words, He does it with love.Setting goals requires discipline. Making a decision to do something without it is a recipe for failure. One of the primary objectives of discipline is to help overcome bad habits and in turn good habits and behaviors are developed. This applies to spiritual disciplines as well.Incorporating practices that aid in introspection allows you to tap into power that you may not have known you have. The abiding presence of the Holy Spirit empowers as you set you heart on being the best you can be. Utilizing such disciplines as prayer, fasting, worship, solitude, etc. facilitates success in your endeavors.The expression “Talk is cheap” is true if you espoused something you were going to do and yet exhibit no results. Scripture tells us we “can do all things through Christ who strengthens us”. These things are the things that God is guiding you to do.Remember godly discipline, spiritual discipline is about love, love of God and love and self. With them you can conquer anything!