SHE 31 - Woman Of ValourSample

Read: Proverbs 31 in a translation that you haven’t used during this devotional series

Let’s talk about discipline. There are those of you reading today that can’t wait to digest these next few paragraphs and there are also those of you who’ve rolled their eyes at the word “discipline”. Keep reading. We’ve all got something to learn when it comes to this.

Consider: It all comes down to discipline 

Our Proverbs 31 woman is disciplined. Let’s look at some of the evidence of this:

• She works hard and isn’t lazy
• She gets up early 
• She plans the day ahead
• She stewards her finances well
• She is able to keep a lamp burning late into the night (looks after what she has)

Context: Why bother?

Discipline is defined as “training that corrects, moulds and perfects character”. Being disciplined doesn’t happen overnight. It’s a process. You have to work at being disciplined and commit to it. In order to run a marathon, you need to be disciplined in your training and exercise. Going for one 2 mile run won’t make you marathon-ready. But many runs will. Eating well for one week won’t cause much change in weight or health, but many months of eating right will produce huge results. Reducing your spending for a few days won’t cause you to be debt-free overnight. But many months and years of making good financial decisions will. It’s all about discipline.

Discipline hurts. We’re denying ourselves of what our flesh wants in the short-term in order to see long-term change. And God is there to help us. 2 Timothy 1 v 7 tells us: “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love and self-discipline.” He is on our side and is cheering us on. Not only that, but He understands. Matthew 4 tells us of Jesus being tempted by the devil in the desert. For forty days and forty nights He fasted and did not give in to the devil’s temptations. He used self-control. He was disciplined. 

Over to you: Ask yourself…..

• What feelings does the word “discipline” evoke in you?
• Are you a disciplined person? Where you always this way?
• Which areas of your life are currently lacking discipline?
• What one next step can you take today to commit to living a life of discipline?