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Mental Disciplines 

Most of life’s battles are won or lost in the mind. Discipline is no exception. Discipline starts in the mind before it ever brings results in your life. 

That’s why it’s so important to change the way we think. James Clear, the author of Atomic Habits, says that instead of focusing on a goal you want to achieve, focus on the identity you want to have. So, for example, if you want to start reading more, you might say, “I’m a reader.” If you want to stop smoking, you might say, “I’m not a smoker.” 

Our external disciplines will often be a byproduct of our internal disciplines. Just look at what Scripture says about that: 

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. … Romans 12:2 NLT 

Changing the way we think often changes the way we live. So, if you don’t think of yourself as a disciplined person, change the way you view yourself. Ask God to make you more disciplined. And reframe those thoughts, maybe saying to yourself: God in me is stronger than the wrong desires in me. Or, with God’s help, I am disciplined.  

We see this in play in Nehemiah’s story. He was trying to rebuild the protective wall around the city of Jerusalem in just 52 days, but he was met with all sorts of opposition. In Nehemiah chapter six, we see his enemies trying to distract him from his mission, but every time, Nehemiah replies, “I’m doing a good work. I cannot come down.” 

When his enemies start making up lies about him, this is how he responds: 

They were just trying to intimidate us, imagining that they could discourage us and stop the work. So I continued the work with even greater determination. Nehemiah 6:9 NLT 

Nehemiah was faced with lies, discouragement, and negativity. But it only made him stronger. Because he was mentally disciplined and chose to pursue God’s purpose over people’s opposition, he finished his assignment successfully. 

His example is a great one for us to follow today. When you’re met with opposition—whether from someone else or even just your own negative thoughts—allow that to fuel you, not faze you. 

Choose, in advance, to stay committed to your mission over your feelings of insecurity, doubt, or frustration. Because when you try to be mentally disciplined, you won’t always feel like it. Some days you’ll want to make excuses. But don’t allow your feelings to drive your decisions. Instead, allow your discipline to overpower your excuses and renew your thoughts and feelings with God’s powerful, steady, unchanging truth. 

Challenge: What are some new identities you want to be true of you? How might changing your thinking help you get there?