Discipline Over Motivation

There comes a time on our journey as Christians when we run out of motivation to do the essential things in our lives, the things that are needed for spiritual growth. Indeed, when we reach that point, we realize that discipline is one of the most important principles we must incorporate into our lives, spiritually, physically, and mentally. How crucial is discipline, is the issue we now need to ask? Recently, the idea occurred to me that developing a strong foundation based on discipline is the first step on the road to spiritual growth. Being disciplined is the bridge that separates spiritual growth from being complacent where you are. Have you ever wanted to pray but were unable to do so because you were on the phone? How can we make ourselves available to God if we have not yet developed the spiritual capacity to discipline ourselves to fast and pray? The flesh will always crave what the spirit forbids, so discipline is what propels you to carry out your duties.

I've learned on my spiritual journey that there will come a time when I allow demotivation to put me in a place where I'm comfortable with not fasting and praying. At that point, my flesh would then take control of my mind, and I'll start to revert to the state I once had to constantly be fasting to escape. I simply never understood how I could get out of the state of feeling emotionally demotivated, and it was at this point that I started to think back to the days when I was playing high school basketball. There were countless days when I did not feel motivated to train, but it was the principles of discipline that helped me get to the point where my mind was shaped by the adage, "No matter rain, sunshine, or storm, training must be attended," and it was through discipline that I was able to persevere no matter the circumstance. I then came to the realization that I had to discipline myself to pray and fast even when I didn't feel like it. I had to learn that the desires of the flesh were to keep me on my phone during times when I was demoted so that I could allow myself to fall into a situation that it took numerous days of fasting to pull me out of. I gradually started to get rid of the items that were impeding my spiritual development. The worst place we can be as Christians is when we allow ourselves to get used to not pursuing the burning desires of the spirit through fasting and prayer. We must realize that the body wants nothing positive towards the spirit and that it is the opposite of those burning desires. ''Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." (Matthew 25:41) 

''Daniel always prayed to God three times every day. Three times every day, he bowed down on his knees to pray and praise God. Even though Daniel heard about the new law, he still went to his house to pray. He went up to the upper room of his house and opened the windows that faced toward Jerusalem. Then Daniel bowed down on his knees and prayed just as he always had done." (Daniel 6:10) Daniel had a wish to honor God after his encounter with him, regardless of what others around him were doing. God is worthy of all of our adoration. It is in the time you spend with God that you see that no matter what your sufferings are keeping you down, he has the ability to expose the glory in you. When we are not feeling well, he deserves our time. When work is making you depressed, he deserves your time. I urge you to practice spiritual discipline because there will come a time when you won't be motivated to pray, fast, study the Bible, or meditate on it because of the world around you. At that point, you'll be in a pit of demotivation brought on by this life and the desires of the flesh, but your preparation will help you escape the pit. A spiritual existence centered on God and discipline is founded on a strong foundation. Your spiritual life will eventually start to flourish as a result of discipline, making praying and fasting essential. When you control your mind and body to restrain your carnal cravings through days of fasting, you can access God's deeper levels—regardless of how appetizing the food your partner or parent is preparing may smell. Avoid allowing yourself to get to the point where practicing spiritual discipline becomes spiritually unmotivating and you are not fasting and meditating as you ought to. It is now imperative that you awake.

"Discipline serves as a barrier between spiritual growth and being content with where you are now."

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