PRACTICAL STEPS to DISCIPLINE and SELF-CONTROLSample

4 PRACTICAL STEPS

Now that we’ve realized self-control is one of the Fruits of Spirit, we already have it within us and we access it by yielding to it, let’s look at four practical steps:

#1 – Write down every area you want to exercise more self-control and discipline. This is obviously an on-going list – you will write down different things in different seasons in your life. For the sake of this exercise, just write down areas that pertain to your life today.

#2 – Pick the one most important to you – the area that’s bugging you the most right now. Just focus on that one for now. Give yourself at least a month (more if you need it). Maybe you picked daily exercise. Put a sticky note on your bathroom mirror that says “April is daily exercise month!” (Next month, you can pick another one from your list).

#3 – Research. First, pray about it. Ask God for direction and help. He’ll lead you, bring things across your path, give you a strategy. Write out scriptures that inspire. Read up on it. Google things like “10 minute exercises for a fat gut.” Look for experts…online, at school, among your friends.

#4 – START! Don’t stress out about it. Be sure to laugh a lot and enjoy yourself. Keep your words in line with God’s Word, saying things like, “I’m a daily exerciser. I love to exercise.” Seal it in the spirit realm by staying close to God, asking constantly for His help, guidance and wisdom.

Here are some tips: if your goal is something like decluttering, tell yourself you’re going to do one thing at a time – like, attack one pile, and that’s all. You’ll end up doing more and feel extra proud of yourself! If it’s exercising, don’t plan to run a marathon – do 10 minutes every day. If you miss a day, don’t beat yourself up. Do it tomorrow! Combine it with something pleasurable, like watching TV.

Remember, being disciplined and exercising self-control is a blessing. And these fruits are already inside you. You are a disciple of Jesus – a disciplined one! You don’t live by your flesh, which can be lazy, unmotivated and frustrating – you live by the Spirit!

Did this plan bless and help you? Check out more from Karen on her website: karensalisbury.org