Beneficial Discipline

For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.—Hebrews 12:11

Sometimes discipline isn't just about doing more and trying harder; it's about doing less but harder things. While many will confuse discipline for exclusively giving more effort and attaching it to a work of salvation that is not the approach the Hebrew writer suggests. He is talking about the "unpleasantries" of doing things that you don't want to do—this may not be about more but less. Saying no to that late-night sweet. Saying no to returning emails when you're with the family. Saying to personal entertainment when you need to invest time in spiritual discipline. When you're ready to level up, it may "seem painful" for a moment, but in just saying no we might discover "the peaceful fruit of righteousness."

DO THIS: Say "no" to something and level up the discipline.

PRAYER: God, I am committing to not do this one thing today ____________________.