SELF-EXAMINATION (Day 2 of 7)
(Need to start at the beginning? Day 1)
If you’d ask me how self-disciplined I was a few years ago, I would have said, “Very.” I was a hard worker and I loved my work routines.
For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with … self-control, and self-control with steadfastness … 2 Peter 1:5-7 ESV
In looking back, I think much of what I did was motivated by fear rather than wishing to please God and serve/love on others. I worried about whether I did enough and whether it looked good enough. (Enough with enough already!)
The other day I didn’t make my bed (part of my morning routine). I remember looking at it later and smiling because a few years back that would have been cause for self-recrimination. Now I know I just hit the ground running that morning and I can straighten up later if needed (or invite my sweetie to help me mess it up even more).
All this babble to say, doing the right thing in our own strength or with poor motivation can be exhausting and not really bless folks. (I probably irritated some folks more than I blessed them.)
I certainly need to examine how I do life with others, my habits, my routines, and such, but I also need to talk to God about my attitudes. Why I study my Bible can be just as important as when and how much I study. When I work on speaking kindly I need a healthy motivation along with regular practice.
Where does self-discipline come easy for you? Where do you struggle? What are your heart attitudes when looking at those areas where self-control is tough?
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