The past few months, I have been challenged by a coach/mentor to focus on five spiritual disciplines. These are disciplines that I have had in my life; however I have been challenged to spend more focused time in each area. It has been an intense focus to take me deeper in my relationship with Christ. I have also been challenged in the area of fasting. It’s funny how when you are given a challenge or new opportunity, the enemy tries to derail your efforts at every turn.
Webster defines discipline as instruction or training that corrects, molds, or perfects the mental faculties or moral character. This seems simple enough, until you are in the midst of the discipline. I don't know about you, but being corrected doesn't always come easy for me. Whenever I am going through a time of correction or training, it can sometimes be difficult to endure. Sometimes, we go through a season or trial that can be so difficult, it is painful. It sometimes seems more than you can bear.
Hebrews 12 talks about such discipline. In verse 7, it says to, “Endure hardship as discipline. . .” We read on to discover in verse 11 that, “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” I love the Word of God! This passage jumped out at me today as I was thinking about this season of my life. Have you ever had one of those days when you think, “Okay Lord, help me to learn whatever you are trying to teach me because I don’t want to have to go through this lesson again.” Well, that has pretty much been the season I have been in the past couple of years. Obviously, I had some learning that needed to take place!
I desire to learn from my current situation! I don’t want to miss a single thing that the Holy Spirit is teaching me. While I am learning though, I realize that sometimes what I learn about myself can be pretty painful. I am a mess without Jesus! This I know is true! One lesson that I have learned through this time is that I need to focus on others and not myself. SELF always wants attention! SELF always wants to throw a pity party. I have learned that when I shift my focus from SELF to someone else’s problem, trial or hurt; suddenly my problem doesn’t seem near as large. I challenge you to pray and encourage others and shift your focus off of yourself! It is amazing how God blesses us in the midst of the trial.
Maybe you are thinking what does this have to do with discipline? We must train our minds. Create a “new” normal. Establish a new habit. Philippians 4:8 tells us the things we should focus on and think about. Continue to refocus whenever the enemy tries to derail your day! Whenever you are tempted to give in to the desires of the flesh, refocus! Discipline your mind to think like Jesus. FOCUS on Him!
I was reminded of this very thing this past week when I was at one of my favorite places (Target) with one of my favorite girls (Abigail Hall). Abigail is my cousin’s 8 year old little girl who gave her heart to Jesus and was baptized earlier this year. I have watched as the Lord continues to mold her and as she grows in her new relationship with Him. It is so precious!
Anyway, I told Abigail to go pick out some candy to take to the movies with her and I would buy it for her. She was going with her family to the movie to celebrate her brother’s birthday. She hesitated and replied, “That’s okay.” I insisted that she pick something out. I told her it was my treat and I wanted to get her something. She said, “I can’t.” When I probed further, I wasn’t expecting what would come next. I figured that her Mom had told her not to get anything. This, however, was not the case. Abigail replied, “I can’t because of Focus 40.” Focus 40 is a time of prayer and fasting that we are doing together at church to focus on our relationship with Jesus. Abigail said, “It’s what I gave up for these 40 days. I gave up candy.” My heart melted! How precious for that sweet girl to be so obedient to the Holy Spirit. She was serious about her commitment and even if no one else would know whether she ate the candy or not; she chose to endure hardship as discipline. She chose to give up something she enjoyed to focus her attention on Jesus. I believe that the angels were cheering that day and the Lord was smiling. Abigail was being obedient! She was showing discipline in its truest form. Praise God!
I learned an important lesson from that adorable 8 year old. Stay focused and disciplined, no matter what the cost because our relationship with Jesus will be sweeter than any “candy” this life throws at us. What a sweet peace and joy that comes from being obedient to the Savior! Allow God to mold you, discipline you, and train you. Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus and enjoy the sweet peace that comes only from Him.
Learning more and more each day,
Elisabeth
