The Proof of Discipline

WOW - I am sore this morning. As I hobbled through the house early this morning, feeling my hamstrings tighten with every step and my shoulders call out for mercy, I thought about MY ONE WORD....discipline.

One of my desires around discipline is to continue exercising, to continue shedding extra pounds and unwanted jigglies in certain places.

My 'a-ha!!' moment then today is that I KNOW that I am succeeding in this area because I have proof in these ways:

1. I grunt and groan with each step because I've really worked hard lately
2. The scale shows smaller numbers
3. My clothes fit better (or I need new ones)

So, my thoughts have turned to what "proof" I'll experience that I'm being disciplined in my quiet times, my Bible reading and my prayer life. What's the equivalent of my short term "grunts and groans" from a couple of tough work outs and my longer term "weight loss / fitter body"? Could they somehow be the same? Let's see.

1. I grunt and groan with each step because I've worked really hard lately

I've already seen that as I'm more disciplined in reading God's word more and spending more time in prayer, that my shortfalls, my sins, my opportunities (that's the business spin of the word 'challenges') are way more apparent. I've asked God to point out areas in which I need to work on or rid from my life and He's not run out of them yet. So, perhaps the proof of my discipline in this area IS grunting and groaning as I'm made aware of my behavioral muscles that need work. Also, as I work on those 'opportunities' (I love that word!), it does HURT in similar ways because I'm being stretched and pushed to change some things.

I'll be back later to see if points 2 and 3 are applicable as well. Happy Thursday!