In Praise of Discipline
“Hard doesn’t mean bad; hard just means hard.”
If you’ve ever been around my husband, you’ve likely heard him say this phrase. As an accountant and Bible teacher (and a former collegiate soccer player), he is no stranger to hard tasks and the discipline required to do them well.
I, on the other hand, tend to become easily frustrated with the things I can’t do well right away. Instead of digging in and giving myself a chance to flex my discipline muscles, I tend to set those tasks aside and move on to something more easily conquered. Unfortunately, I don’t think I’m alone in this practice.
The instant gratification culture that surrounds us is built around quick, easy solutions that prioritize short-term pleasure over long-term growth or lasting satisfaction. While convenient, these habits can undermine the discipline, intentionality, and self-control that we’re called to as believers. I wonder if those of us in the Church have subtly begun to believe that hard does mean bad or that hard things are simply not worth doing. More than that, I wonder if this lie has crept beyond social media highs and spread its vitriolic roots into our spiritual disciplines.
In order to live the kind of counter-cultural life that the Lord has called us to, we can’t settle for quick-fix theology, surface-only Bible reading, or half-hearted prayer. We must develop the discipline and self-control necessary for us to feast on the Bread of Life, even when doing so seems hard.
Discipline in Scripture
God’s Word has a lot to say about self-control and discipline, Paul probably most of all.
In his letter to the Galatians, he lists self-control as a fruit of the Spirit, something that the Lord cultivates in the hearts of all believers (Gal. 5:22–23). Then, in his letters to Timothy and the Corinthians, he highlights the importance of training oneself both spiritually and physically for godliness.
In 1 Timothy 4:7–10, Paul writes,
Train yourself in godliness. For the training of the body has limited benefit, but godliness is beneficial in every way, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance. For this reason we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God.
Similarly, in 1 Corinthians 9:24–27, Paul uses the metaphor of an athlete training for a race:
Don’t you know that the runners in a stadium all race, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way to win the prize. Now everyone who competes exercises self-control in everything. They do it to receive a perishable crown, but we an imperishable crown. So I do not run like one who runs aimlessly or box like one beating the air. Instead, I discipline my body and bring it under strict control, so that after preaching to others, I myself will not be disqualified.
These passages remind us that godly discipline and self-control aren’t just good things to have; they are attributes that are required of us if we want to run the race of the Christian life well—and don’t you desire to run as hard as you can by God’s grace until you cross the finish line?
How to Cultivate Discipline
The question is: how do you bring yourself under strict control and exercise the kind of discipline necessary to train in godliness? There is no quick five-step plan (and really, that’s the point!), but there are several ways that you can build the muscles of discipline in your life.
1. Pray for the Spirit’s help.
Discipline, especially in the Christian life, isn’t something that we can cultivate on our own. We need the grace of God and His Spirit dwelling in us in order to accomplish any good thing. Pray specifically for the Holy Spirit to help you resist distractions, overcome laziness, and stay committed to the tasks He’s called you to (Gal. 5:22–23).
2. Develop disciplined habits.
I once heard it said that discipline breeds desire, and in my own life, I have found this to ring true. There are days when, truthfully, I just don’t feel like digging into God’s Word or spending time in prayer. But I’ve worked to build time for these habits into my day, and the more consistently I discipline myself to do them, the more the Lord has graciously grown my desire to do these things.
At first, really focusing on Scripture reading or prayer without distraction can feel hard or even tedious. Start small. Push yourself to focus deeply for five minutes, ten minutes, then fifteen. The work may still be hard, but hard isn’t bad. It will become a labor of love as the Lord grows your self-control and increases your desire for time spent with Him (Heb. 12:11).
3. Ask for accountability.
One thing that has greatly helped in my quest to cultivate more discipline is accountability. Whether it’s another believer spurring you on, a habit tracker, or even a reading plan (or all three in my case!), accountability gives an extra layer of motivation on the days when discipline feels particularly challenging. Plus it’s an opportunity to grow in humility as someone or something comes alongside you to gently point out your blind spots (Eccl. 4:9–10).
The Rewards of Discipline
Discipline is the soil in which spiritual maturity and lasting joy take root. Why? Because discipline requires us to do hard things, and hard things push us to lean on the grace of our Lord rather than our own strength. As Christ followers, we were never meant to coast through this life avoiding anything that requires hard work. On the contrary, it’s often these hard things that the Lord uses to help shape us into the image of His Son.
Through discipline we set aside fleeting pleasures and distractions, redirecting our focus to what truly matters: deep communion with Christ. Hebrews 12:1–2 tells us to “lay aside every hindrance and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.”
Friend, you aren’t just called to put off sin, you are to discipline yourself and remove every sin and hindrance that keeps you from running the race well. Though the process can be challenging, it yields a joy far greater than comfort or ease. It’s the joy of witnessing godly character take shape, experiencing the closeness of God, and knowing you are being conformed to the image of His Son.
What would be different about your walk with the Lord if discipline became a defining characteristic of your life this year . . . and the next, and the next?
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