Growing Self Discipline
When I started my business a little over one year ago, I had very little self control. I was used to being an easy-going, unrestrained mom with no structure or “have-to’s” and getting back into the workforce was a challenge. Running my own business, without a boss or an hourly wage, it was very difficult to make myself work, much less even get into the office.
My business started out as cold calls. I was supposed to go to my office, make cold calls to generate business, be yelled at, cursed at, hung up on and not even make an hourly wage for the day. Needless to say it was very difficult. My trainings all told me the same things. In order to create this business I wanted to have, I needed to have a holistic, full-circle self discipline. “Wake up at 5am,” they said. “Exercise every day,” they said. Focus your mind, steady your spirit, create a growth plan and meditate. Then jump on the phone and make 100 calls a day. These were all good things that I knew I wanted to do but the questions for me was, how do I make myself do it?
I held on to the promise in Hebrews 12:11, "For in the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it."
I started with prayer.
I knew that God had put this dream in my heart to own a business and sell homes and I trusted that He was going to give me the energy and the self-discipline that I needed to succeed. I had to look deep inside myself to my, “why”. Once I could confirm that my “why” was obedience to God and trusting His promises, I was able to get a little further.
I prayed and prayed that God would give me the strength to do everything I needed to do and the energy and drive it would take to do it.
And then I asked God to open me up to what He had for me. I read life changing books, went to seminars and conferences, found an amazing mentor, and listened to podcasts. I started journaling and answering tough questions about my current thinking patterns. I took personality tests, and mentored others.
I focused on Phillipians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength,” and Matthew 7:7, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”
And day by day, things got easier. I had some breakthrough moments that allowed me to start to become the person who I would be if I had already achieved my goal. Confident, focused and driven.
A little momentum goes a long way on the self-discipline train.
Once you start growing and learning exactly what you want and exactly what it takes to get there, it’s a simple process. It’s not easy, but it is simple.
I know that for self discipline to be evident in my life I need Jesus to permeate it. I want Him to bless me, guide me, to show me how to be obedient to Him. I know that I get these things when I spend time in the early morning praying, reading my Bible, and even using self disciple to work out, eat healthy foods, spend time in silence and be intentional with my family. Self-discipline can feel very elusive but as you pray and seek it, the Lord will always give you the strength and reveal the steps that will allow you to grow into the person you were made to be.
Start by getting clarity on the areas where you want or need self discipline. Even if it sounds impossible, make a list of the items that you would love to see changed in your life. And then pray over them daily! Just the act of focusing on those things, before the power of prayer even begins, is a step in the right direction. The Lord will reveal to you how to produce the fruit of self-discipline in these areas. He will bring down incredible mountain moving power to see you changed and growing in your faith, your mind, your strength and your life.
Love you all,Martina McKinney
Our Fame Pastors have been walking us through the power of the fruits of the Spirit this Spring. Here's the link to the first post if you'd like to catch-up now. Plus we'd love to hear from you, believe with you, and pray with you - comment below.