“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith
goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control;
and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to
godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.”
2 Peter 1:5-7 NIV
Happy New Year! Instead
of making New Year’s resolutions, I decided once again to choose a word for the
year. Last year my word was organization because I figured if I got organized, many other goals would get accomplished. I succeeded some, I
think. J
This year my word is: DISCIPLINE
According to the
Google dictionary, self-discipline means “the ability to control one's
feelings and overcome one's weaknesses; the ability to pursue
what one thinks is right despite temptations to abandon it.”
Wow! Just reading that
definition is overwhelming. Can I do all that? I’m going to try, with God’s
help.
No matter what area of
my life I apply discipline to, my goals have a better chance of succeeding. In
the Bible verse above, many other character traits come out of the ability to
exercise self-control. Conversely, not exercising self-control can impede
accomplishing goals.
Like many writers, I
have a bad habit of checking my social media accounts when I get writer’s block.
In switching gears, I often come across interesting articles to read, which isn't necessarily a bad thing, but my attention is diverted from writing. Instead, I’m determined to push through the block and increase my daily output, thus
increasing my published work and ability to reach others for Christ.
Discipline applied to
my exercise regimen and diet would improve those areas, and my health, as well.
While researching the
word discipline, I came
across a blog post entitled "7 Self-Discipline Techniques." One line in particular
jumped out at me: “Life isn't some waiting room in which to 'kill time' with repetitive
self-amusements.”
Sounds a little like
Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and other social media amusements, not to mention
Farm Town, Candy whatever-it’s-called-that’s-so-popular, and other games to
amuse us while on Facebook.
Faith, goodness,
knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, mutual affection, and love.
They all go together. I’m excited about the New Year and what God’s plan is for
my writing and other areas of my life.
Now it’s your turn.
Share a resolution you’ve made or a word you’ve chosen for 2014. Franklin
Graham’s daughter, Cissie Graham Lynch, blogged about choosing a prayer of the
year. Another great idea! You can read her post by clicking here.
Meanwhile, if you have
a prayer request or need prayer support to meet your goals, please feel free to
share it in the comments section below or email me confidential requests. I
assure you, I write down all requests in my prayer book and keep them in my
prayers.
Have a blessed New
Year!
Laura J
