We talked before about character and what creates and makes it in our lives.  The first thing we must remember is that self-discipline is the starting point for building character in our lives.  Of course, I’m writing this after two weeks of starting to write this and just shutting the computer and waiting for tomorrow to finish it.  So, when I talk to you about discipline always understand that some days, I have discipline and some days I do not have any discipline.  It is just a thing that we all deal with in our lives. 

There are some verses in the Bible that talk about our discipline and how it can change our lives.  “You know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize. So run to win! All those who compete in the games use self-control so they can win a crown. That crown is an earthly thing that lasts only a short time, but our crown will never be destroyed.” 1 Corinthians 9:24-25 (NCV)  Paul reminds us that many people may run the race but only one wins the medal.  I don’t think we should compare and figure out if we are beating other people.  Self-discipline is a race against ourselves, not any one else.  With that being said; what does self-discipline look like for us in the most important part of our lives? I’m glad you asked because here goes my take on that.

We need to start with our spiritual life.  How does this play into the rest of our lives? Our spirit can direct every area of our lives.  If we are at peace with our spiritual life then the rest will follow.  I believe that my relationship with God will bleed into every other part of my life.  So our spiritual life with God is built on a couple of things.  First, how often do I talk to Him?  Many times we make this into something bigger than what it really is.  To use a church word, it is prayer.  How much time do you talk to God?  There are a million books or so written on prayer and how to “do it right.”  There are formulas and ideas about how, when and length that true prayer works.  I do not agree with those ideas. 

I think prayer is like talking to my kids.  Whenever I talk with either of my boys I don’t wonder if they are following a pattern or hitting the points I need them to so that we can have a conversation.  Instead I think about how good it is to hear their joy, sadness, concern and plans for what is next in their life.  What if that is how God looks at it with us.  Not a prescribed formula but just talking.  So how often do you talk to God? 

Another part of spiritual discipline is to allow God to talk to you.  Don’t freak out.  I’m not talking about angels at the bed and floating items to show you His mind and will for you.  I think God’s conversation with us can be found in the letters He wrote to us.  The Bible is full of wisdom and insight that can change our lives if we not only read it but decide to live by what it teaches us.  It is opening the Bible and reading the verses that allow God to speak to us.  Maybe begin with the Proverbs from the Old Testament.  There are 31 chapters, so try one a day and see if you hear God’s voice in this ancient book of wisdom.

Our physical discipline is something that we don’t really need to talk about.  I mean really will my thoughts change to way we live our lives.  Nope.  I’m even smart enough to know that we all know what we should do, and how hard it is to do what we know we should.  So maybe this piece of the puzzle is just get up and do what we know we need to do.  Put down the snack and go for a walk or whatever you need to do.  I’ll just leave that advice from someone who struggles with the physical part of his life every day.

Then the third part of our lives is the emotional lives.  Emotions, I don’t want to second that emotion most days.  Emotions can change as suddenly as the weather in Michigan.  We will talk in depth about our emotions in a couple of weeks.  We need to ask one question when it comes to our emotions.  When we see a spike or react in a way that is not consistent with what we believe, we need to stop and ask “Why?”  Why does this bother me?  Why is this a trigger for me? 

After asking why, we need to ask how.  How do I keep this from being a trigger or a jumping off spot in my emotions?  It is realizing what causes an emotional reaction that can help us control our emotions.  Not just saying do not get mad, but instead saying I won’t let that get me mad can make a big difference.

The tough part of this first step of character is to simply realize that character is made by our daily decisions.  Our daily decisions are controlled by discipline or the lack of discipline in our lives.  To know that we can decide what happens in our lives with simple little decisions each day can change our lives.  Remember we are running and training for a crown that cannot be taken away from us.  If we win this prize our lives and the lives of those around us can be changed forever.