Are you ready to apply?


Proverbs 23:12--What does it mean to apply ourselves? We have a task before us and we work hard to accomplish it? It's actually more than that.

To apply ourselves is to work until we master something. That can mean a theoretical approach, but I feel like it really means a more practical approach. The old "getting our hands dirty" method.

Discipline as it pertains to children is generally about following rules and an ethical code of behaviors. If the rules aren't followed, then some type of punishment is issued. The idea being we train little ones to be able to function as law-abiding citizens able to control their conduct.

As adults, we think of being disciplined as being consistent, organized, perseverant. Someone who sees something through to completion. Someone who does what they say they're going to do. The fruit of discipline is dependability.

We grown-ups need to apply ourselves to discipline as much as children. I found a great article about the 5 ways to help ourselves be more disciplined (https://www.forbes.com/…/5-proven-methods-for-gaining-sel…/…).

We aren't born disciplined, we're taught--just as we teach our children.

The 5 tips to help us be more disciplined are surprisingly simple and might be helpful as we train up our children:

  1. Remove temptations. If they're not within view or reach, we're less likely to be distracted.
  2. Eat healthily and regularly. Poor dietary habits can befuddle our brains and drain our energy.
  3. Don't wait for it to "feel right." Motivation and enthusiasm can be affected by poor diets, a lack of sleep, or laziness. As the commercial says: Just do it!
  4. Schedule breaks, treat/reward ourselves when we hit milestones. Overworking can cause more problems than delays. Factor in these times. It keeps us in a place of gratitude, with an appreciation for the journey as much as the destination.
  5. Forgive ourselves and move forward. Failure only means we've learned something more about our self and our project. This keeps us humble and, well, grateful.

I find that I am disciplined in some areas, and others not so much. I guess it truly is a journey. One that we take holding our Father's hand.

May we apply ourselves to discipline, my friends.

Proverbs 23:12--Apply your heart to discipline and your ears to words of knowledge. Tree of Life Bible Society Tree of Life Version - TLV #tlvbible#tlvproverbs

[WATCH Tree of Life Bible Society's CEO, Daniah Greenberg and me, Terri Gillespie, Author dig a little deeper with this proverb. Check us out at Tree of Life Bible Society, Monday through Friday, LIVE at 8:30am EST. Watch previous episodes there as well. Stay wise, my friends!]

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