This last behavior from Mrs Meyer is a huge one. As a matter of fact, we cannot develop any of the other habits apart from this one. We can spend the rest of our lives talking about it, and should spend the rest of our lives developing it, so I will attempt to be as brief as I can. What is it? She calls this one the Habit of Discipline. Apart from controlling ourselves, we cannot even make the time to be with God, much less have authority over our thought and words, in order to make good and healthy decisions, so we can be happy and walk by Faith and reflect God’s Excellent Character, as we become more responsible for our actions and lack of actions, and learn to be generous towards all, living with a real sense of peace instead of hurrying about, mastering our emotions, and acting with confidence as we add value to those around us…ok, I’m trying to summarize all the great habits she talks about in her book by pointing us to the fact that, apart from discipline and self-control, we cannot create any of these good habits, and consistently live in them. We will default to our old Jezebel, sinful MMI way of living, and we won’t have that steady peace and joy we truly desire.
Discipline is not only required for the Abundant Life, it is how we can experience the Abundant Life! Discipline is so very beneficial to every part of our lives. It leads to being more healthy physically, mentally, emotionally, relationally, financially…there is no aspect to life where we will not gain great advantage when we choose to discipline ourselves. So why do we fight it so much? One word: Pride. Pride tells us we can do whatever we want, whenever we want, however we want, for as long as we want…notice all the “we want’s” there? So it comes down to the same battle we humans have been fighting since the Garden of Eden: Will we live by Faith or MMI? Will we choose to trust God’s Way or lean on our own understanding? Will we humble ourselves or dig in deeper to this sinful Pride? One leads to Life…the other to… no where we want to have anything to do with. Praise God that He is more than willing, and able, to help us create this great Habit of Discipline! Let’s wrap up this great book tomorrow…
14 Good Habits
Behavior 1: The God Habit
Behavior 2: Thoughts, Words and Habits
Behavior 3: The Habit of Being Decisive
Behavior 4: Healthy Habits
Behavior 5: The Happy Habit
Behavior 6: The Faith Habit
Behavior 7: The Habit of Excellence
Behavior 8: The Habit of Being Responsible
Behavior 9: The Habit of Generosity
Behavior 10: The Hurry Habit
Behavior 11: Emotional Habits
Behavior 12: The Confidence Habit
Behavior 13: The Habit of Adding Value to Others
Behavior 14: The Habit of Discipline
2023’s Got A Minute? Book Club
January: The First & Best Book Ever: The Bible
February: Love Is In the Air: “The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts” by Gary Chapman
March: Spring Growth: “Secrets of the Vine” by Bruce Wilkinson
April: Living the Resurrected Life: “The Wonderful Spirit Filled Life” by Dr Charles Stanley
May: My Spiritual Mom: “Making Good Habits Breaking Bad Habits” by Joyce Meyer
<>< Peace, Diane
