Relying on God for Self-Discipline

Thanks for joining me here today! If you’re reading Do You Know Who I Am? by Angela Thomas, we’re in chapter 8 this week, “Do You Know I Am Undisciplined?...He Is My Strength.”

Self-discipline.

This is the word that kept coming to mind as I read and thought about the chapter this week.

Followed by…self-reliance…self-control… and self-confidence.

What they all have in common is each one depends on one person—me. While the world says the only one I can depend on is myself, I have to admit I’m uncomfortable with that.

Please don’t misunderstand—I firmly believe we are each responsible for our own actions. So, I agree that I need to have some self-discipline and self-control over my behavior.

But to be dependent only on myself? That’s not going to work.

I don’t have the strength or wisdom to be perfect. I’m going to mess up. Repeatedly.

My feelings and emotions are like a roller coaster, which means I may act based on the mood I’m in.

So, how can I discipline myself when my thoughts, emotions, and moods fluctuate? I can’t, I need God’s help.

My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.Psalm 121:2 NIV

God is never changing, always consistent, always present, and always a firm foundation.

I am the Lord, and I do not change. Malachi 3:6a NLT

We have a God who understands, and He is always ready to help me when I turn to Him.

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are —yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:15-16 NLT

God promises to give us strength…

He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Isaiah 40:29 NLT

For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13 NLT

I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. Ephesians 3:16-17 NLT

He promises to show us a way out of temptation…

And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure. 1 Corinthians 10: 13b NLT

He promises us the power for self-discipline and self-control…

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7 NIV

For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. Philippians 2:13 NLT

In Christ,

Laura

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