discipline and obedience

The two go hand in hand, or at least they should in my mind.  We often think of discipline as punishment or correction, but I'm defining discipline as training that corrects, molds, or perfects; self-control; orderly or prescribed conduct or behavior.  I am disciplined in my running...most mornings I don't feel like running when I get out of bed, but regardless of my feelings, I put on my running shoes and hit the sidewalk.  Unfortunately, that seems to be the end of my disciplined behavior.  I have a wish list in my head of places in my life that I would like to exercise self-control and discipline.  My eating habits need some serious help.  I would like to discipline my mouth to speak only words of life and encouragement.  My mind runs amuck with thoughts of worry, fear, and discouragement.  I'm sure there are more, but those are my BIG 3.

Discipline will come from being obedient to God.  If I would just ask Him and listen before I eat, or speak, or think, and then choose to be obedient, discipline would be easier.  Being obedient is so much better than trying to figure out on my own how to do things the right way.  2 Corinthians 10:5 says that we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.  That would be a great place for me to start.  Every time I think something that is not true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8), I need to get rid of those thoughts and replace them with thoughts that are.  That would impact my words as well since my mouth speaks what is in my heart and what is in my heart came from my thoughts. 

This is going to be a journey of learning and choosing obedience and discipline.  Today is only the beginning, but habits can be broken and changed.  I have hope!