Reshaping it All - Day 26

Reshaping it All - Day 26

Guest blogger, Clare from Peak 313 Fitness

Self Discipline. Those 2 words evoke different responses in people. For some it is everything they live for. It is a basic thread to their existence. It encompasses everything from health, to spiritual, to financial areas in their lives. When the going gets tough, the tough gets... disciplined!

Yet for others, the words "self discipline" evoke a more, negative tone. It represents failure. It represents being less than someone else. It represents everything you are not. In fact, you may even resent those who are self disciplined.

I, personally, love the concept of self discipline. For me, it's dying to my desires. It's proving that I can beat the odds. It's a way to keep myself "sharp" in life. I will go out on a limb here and say that some people have the natural bend of being disciplined. It generally has come naturally to me, yet for so many women who I talk to, it's such a struggle. My heart goes out to them because the desire in their heart is there, but the ability to follow through to completion is not for whatever reason.

One of the biggest reasons I love self discipline is that it bleeds over into many areas of my life. I am one who likes the biggest bang for their buck! I find that when I'm self-disciplined in one area of life---let's say in healthy eating--then it's much easier for me to exercise consistently. If I'm self-disciplined in reading God's word, then it's much easier for me to pray and serve my family. If I'm disciplined in keeping my physical wants (ahem, clothes!) in check, then it's much easier for me to give to others.

Just like anything in life, discipline requires some growing pains. Candace mentions that when you are in the first three days of a change program, that it's difficult. When you start a new exercise routine, doesn't it take a little time to stop hurting so much?! LOL! When you are ridding "junk food" from your life, doesn't your body CRAVE it for a few days? When you are disciplining your mind to think positive things about your body, don't you have to fight the natural urge to think negatively?

I have a real life, recent story to tell you about. When we started the "65 days to Reshaping It All" challenge, I decided that I was going to stop eating after 7pm. The main reason was that my night eating was getting sloppy. I was mindlessly putting food in my mouth that I didn't need and it was taking a toll on my body!! You would not believe how HUNGRY I was the first 4 or 5 nights. My belly would literally growl out loud and I would FIGHT going to the kitchen. Some nights I turned in early and other nights I drank water and tried to distract myself. But I did it (and I'm still doing it!) The feeling of accomplishment each morning was amazing and that feeling kept me going for the next night and next etc..(It also helps that I'm seeing results because of it!)

The other thing that kept me going was accountability. I had the wonderful ladies from my blog, Peak313, and from all of you, here at Reshaping It All to check in with. I knew that I'd have to "fess up" if I had messed up!! That in itself was enough to stop the eating!

Self-discipline is rough. Some seasons of life will be rougher than others. Some areas of your life will be harder to keep in check than others. Get a partner! Keep yourself involved with someone who will be there to help you out.

Finally, let's not forget what God's Word says about discipline. If God has something to say about it, then I want to hear it!

I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified. ~ 1 Corinthians 9:27

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. ~ Hebrews 12:11

Candace finishes the chapter with this thought. "Self-discipline is an exercise that strengthens us over time when we continue to implement it. It puts our spirit in control of our flesh and keeps putting it there until the flesh learns to follow." pg102

If you have Reshaping It All, then I challenge you to do the exercise on pages 104 and 105. This is SO SO EXCELLENT! Don't let self-discipline be a negative word that is only associated with your health (or lack thereof). Allow it to bleed into other areas of your life and embrace it with the power and purpose that God has given it to us for!!

Visit Clare at her blog, Peak313 Fitness, or follow her on twitter (@peak313):

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