“Discipline to train oneself to do something in a controlled and habitual way.” -Oxford
If you follow me on Instagram, you may already know my word for 2021 is discipline. By the end of 2021 I want to look back on the year knowing that I did my part.
Realistically, I know I can’t do it all on my own. In fact, I’m constantly reminding myself of two things. First, His ways are higher than my own. So I aim to accomplish His will for my life through asking Him to order my steps. Second, often times He moves in unexpected ways and to walk by faith not by sight.
My steps can’t be ordered though if I’m not obedient and placing myself in position to hear from Him. Disciplining myself to hear from Him and spend time with Him is essential in the success for every area of my life. This process doesn’t always look pretty either. I’ve learned that sometimes stepping out on faith often times means going against the grain and dying to my flesh. Though, I’d rather aim to please Him than to please the world or even myself, because I don’t even know what’s best for me.
So practically I’m expecting this process to look 2 ways.
Practical Discipline
- Being Spirit-led in ALL decisions. Quick story time. Anytime an opportunity is placed in our laps, Shawn and I traditionally pray and ask God that His will is apparent. Recently an opportunity arose and I honestly wanted it so bad I purposely didn’t pray over it out of fear that if it wasn’t His will it wouldn’t come true. ? Saying this is honestly slightly embarrassing but I eventually came to my senses and prayed over it anyways. As flesh, we’re not all-knowing meaning we don’t always know what’s on the other side of that door. All this to say, invite God into every area of your life, even if it’s an area that appears to be complete. We’re never too complete to receive the abundance He has for us. And on the other hand things can’t completely fail as long as He’s involved because we walk by faith not by sight.
- Fasting from something once a month. I’m super guilty of running to different things to solve my (often emotional) issues. In some seasons it has been through food and other seasons it has been through shopping. But looking back my first reaction is always to run to things to gain my composure and then running to God. My priorities are backwards. My prayer is that through taking the time to fast I will to realign to His will. The last week of this month I am going on a spending fast, which I can share more of in a blog post if you’re interested!
I’m really excited to see all that God wants to teach me this year as I become more disciplined and lean in on Him. I’m also excited to see the places He takes my sweet family.
My prayer is that He continues to order our steps and that this year will be a beautiful year that we won’t forget!
Bible Verses To Meditate On
Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:6
XO
Michelle
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