Don’t neglect
to discipline yourself. For me it started with just not kicking my foot while I
was sitting—you know that bouncing thing people do. Stop it—control yourself.
Then I decided that I needed to look people in the eye when I talked to them,
or they talked to me. It makes a difference in relationships. Try it. It does
take self control to not only pay attention to what someone is saying—but to
actually look at them the whole time. I’m easily distracted—so it’s been a good
challenge for me. What do you need to discipline yourself to do? Are you
spending quality time with God every day? Do you need to put down your iphone
and actually interact with others around you? Can you respectfully accept
correction in your spiritual life…or even in the way you are raising your
children? Listen to those around you and gain understanding—that is what the
Bible verse today from Proverbs 15:32 is telling us. Listen. Listen to God.
Listen to God speaking through His word and through fellow Christians around
you. Don’t despise yourself. Listen.
Training Tip – That old game of “Mother, May I?” is useful again
in teaching discipline and the art of listening and obeying. Play that game
with your young children. Change the game up a bit and give them rewards of
more steps. If they listen closely and respond correctly the game could go very
quickly. Be sure to discuss with them, after the game, that part of that game—sending
them back to the beginning for not listening—is a kind of discipline.
Lord, please again, give us deeper understanding of
Your word and how we can apply it to our lives so that we may be self
disciplined and bring honor to You in our thoughts, words and actions.
All
scripture quoted from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise
noted.
© 2013 by Mickey
M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
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