Success

Success is spelled   s-e-l-f   d-i-s-c-i-p-l-i-n-e

My husband and I recently checked into a resort hotel and were shocked when we were told that our stay would cost quite a bit more than we had been told and anticipated.  It had taken creative convincing  to get my husband to agree to stay at this hotel ; therefore, you can imagine his surprise, angst and grumpiness when he pulled out his credit card to pay.  I, in my typical fashion desperately tried to make light of the situation and find an upside.  I failed miserably. 

Later my husband and I talked through it and  he told me something I didn’t want to hear— it takes a large amount of self-discipline to get financially ahead.  It takes effort to look for the best deal.  It takes time to discuss large purchases.  It takes planning to move forward in life and we didn’t do any of these practical steps.  Each of these truths fly in the face of my carefree personality; a personality which in some instances is good, but in others (staying at a super expensive resort) doesn’t pay off.

January is often a time used for reflecting, goal setting and resolution creating.   Unfortunately, what is frequently left out is a plan for disciplined follow through.  Current beliefs many times cast discipline in a negative light.  It is seen as degrading or punishing, yet the true meaning of discipline is anything but negative.  Webster’s states that discipline is used for training to correct and mold moral character.   The ancient wisdom of Proverbs 10:17 far predates Webster: “He who heeds discipline shows the way of life,”.  Proverbs 10:17 also negates societal beliefs against discipline, revealing, “but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.”  Proverbs 13:18 further negates societal beliefs about the destructive side of discipline, “He who ignores discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored.”

As I think about our resort stay, I understand that being undisciplined led to “poverty” in that situation.  No the stay didn’t leave us destitute and wondering where our next meal would come from, but it did leave us with the knowledge that what we paid there would have paid for a three day stay elsewhere.  We paid the price for being undisciplined. 

As I go into January, I am going to make a goal to create a disciplined plan for following through on my goals and resolutions for the year.  I am going to make an effort to create a habit of self-discipline by starting with small steps that will then lead to large payoffs.  I am going to reject erroneous societal beliefs that discipline is bad and accept Biblical truth that discipline is the way to life.

My challenge to you for 2008 is this: rather than start with a bang and end with a crash, choose to take small steps towards disciplining the undisciplined area in your life.