I did something I didn’t feel like doing several times this past week. I didn’t feel like going for a run. I ran anyway, and I’m glad I did. On another occasion, I was supposed to work out at 6:00 AM. I didn’t feel like getting out of bed, but I did it anyway. In both cases, I did what I didn’t want to do at the moment but felt a sense of victory once I had finished. I believe this is called “discipline.”
One of the things I have read about successful people is that they all commit to doing the things they don’t feel like doing. They are very disciplined. They know how to delay gratification now for a better result later. As Nathan Whitley said, “The pain of regret is far worse than the pain of discipline.” Well said.
The pain associated with my running today is less than that of heart surgery later. The struggle to work out today is less than the effects not working out will have on my body in years to come. This principle of staying disciplined is in more than physical discipline. It is also true for spiritual, relational, financial, emotional, and intellectual domains.
I will be thankful later if I get up early for quiet time with God. If I live by a budget today, I will be glad I did in the future. Planning a date night with my spouse today will make a difference in our relationship. If I stay energized today, I will have better emotional health later. Doing the things I don’t feel like doing today will be worth it in the future.
Today we recognize that successful people live by the principle of discipline, and the Bible spoke about this concept many years before our time. The Bible says in Galatians 6:9, “Let us not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up.” A popular way of saying it is, “You reap what you sow.”
Farmers know their work in the field today will not be noticeable until later. If they work hard to keep their fields fertile now, they will see fruit at the time of harvest. Wise farmers do not let themselves get tired of doing the right thing at the right time. We can all learn from farmers and keep doing the right things at the right time to see good fruit later.
Being a thriving disciple and disciple-maker sometimes means doing what you don’t feel like doing. It can be challenging to stay inspired and motivated to make disciples. I encourage you to remain faithful in your commitment to being a disciple and building more disciples. You will never regret making sacrifices now to reap such a fantastic harvest later.
If you need encouragement on your disciple-making journey, contact us at Impact Discipleship Ministries. We are here to support you in any way that we can.
