February 28, 2022 www.PositiveChristianity.org presents Positive Daily Inspiration DISCIPLINE Now, discipline always seems painful rather than pleasant at the time, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it." Hebrews 12:11 I remember well, when Barnaby, my 9 month old English Golden Retriever was told by the vet that it was time for him to be fixed. I'm not sure that he realized what was happening. He was way too happy. The surgery went very well. He slept for 3 days; he was on that heavy-duty pain medication during that time. He had a cone on his head for days. He did try to get at his rear end, so, it's a good thing. He was coming back to life, he was so quiet that I thought he was sleeping, but when I went downstairs, he had dragged, into the living room, a tree that had fallen from the backyard. This was not a branch; this was a BIG tree. Not easy to do with the cone on your head. This had to be an example of the ultimate positive thinker. As he pulled it from the backyard through the small opening in the door. He has disciplined himself to keep going no matter what. He was not deterred by the 1000 leaves that were falling, or the broken branches throughout the house. Nothing stopped him from bringing his ultimate chew toy, through the household maze, into the living room. Sitting on his favorite spot on the Oriental rug, he began to chew up, and try to eat an entire tree. He learned to live with the cone on his head, nothing deters a positive thinker. I am STILL finding leaves, and twigs in tucked away corners. I shook my head, but I did not get upset. You've got to give the dog credit for tenacity. Sometimes, I wish that I had that much discipline over myself, and temporary difficulties. We are all highly disciplined in imaginary tomorrow time. I will diet tomorrow, so today I can eat seven bowls of ice cream. I will begin my exercise program--tomorrow. I will stop smoking--tomorrow. I will stop hanging out with these people that I know are no good for me--tomorrow. I will stop drinking or give up drugs - tomorrow. Both discipline and non-discipline has a price that we must pay. Most people want to live in the present moment doing what feels good. When tomorrow becomes the present moment, they again do what feels good, putting off what they perceive to be painful change until an imaginary time in the future. Non-discipline carries the highest price tag in pain to your life and it carries the residual effect of being stuck in your problem. Non-discipline causes problems to grow larger and larger. Many people pray "ostrich prayers" putting their head in the sand and refusing to look at the problem. They plead, "Oh God, make it go away." Decide that TODAY is the day you will change. You are going to do everything in your human power to make the change. You pray for the strength and courage from God to make the change. You do all that you can do-- then you let God do the rest. You are here in this life for soul-growth. You are here to learn to take the reins of your life and take control of yourself. God will empower you to do this, but God will not force you to change. Decide TODAY that you want more out of your life; with God's help you will achieve your dreams. The word "discipline" comes from the word "disciple." Be a disciple of Christ by living the highest life that you can live in your body which the Bible calls the "temple of God." In first Corinthians 3:16, the Bible states, "Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God spirit dwells in you?" You may falsely believe that you have no discipline. This is not true because God's power can come through you and right when you are ready. Your power and God's power are two distinctly different things. Your power may be weak and filled with limitations, but God's power is strong and limitless. Do you want the power to change some bad habit - God can give it to you, but God can only deliver this power to you in the present moment with your actively consenting to change above all else. Change may be painful for a while as you begin an exercise program, go on a diet, or stop smoking. Change may be lonely for a while as you seek new positive friends to associate with. Your body will tell you that it desires to feel good again NOW; it will try to encourage you to put off to another day the change that you know must come. Those who are making the decision to give up alcohol or drugs are perhaps making the most positive decision of all that will have the most lasting effects. You must look ahead towards the desired result. Do not be someone that looks to the past to the good old days. The positive use of tomorrow-thinking is to base your hopes and faith in what you will become and not take your eye off of the goal. Having God Centered vision is perceiving yourself as already being the change that you seek to be. You will yield the fruit of righteousness if you are trained by your discipline. Decide today to be disciplined; you will surprise yourself at how much you achieve. POSITIVE DAILY PRAYER: Dear God, empower me with never give up power, to have new self-discipline for the good of myself, and of others. In Jesus Christ's name … Amen Encyclopedia of Prayers: http://www.positivechristianity.org/prayersearch.php POSITIVE DAILY AFFIRMATION: With God's help, I now take the reins of control and guide my life to higher ground. POSITIVE DAILY QUOTE: "A wise man will make more opportunities than he finds." Francis Bacon _____ 100% of our support comes from you, our readers: Instant online, or recurring monthly giving: http://www.positivechristianity.org/donatepc.htm By mail: Positive Christianity Box 7993 Woodlands, TX 77387 Thank you! ___ NEED PRAYER? 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