God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline. 2 Timothy 1:7 (NLT)
Self-discipline doesn't come from yourself. It comes from God. We all go through moments of doubt, when the things we know are true and believe in seem to leave us with more questions than answers. There are times in our lives when we get afraid. There are times when we look at the future and are filled with worry. Sometimes we look at a sticky situation, and we don't know how we are going to get through it.
But there is a way. When you and I feel powerless over our situations, when we feel afraid of what lies ahead, when our "stick-to-it-iveness" no longer sticks, God is able and willing to give us the power we lack. The courage to face a fear head on doesn't come from within, it comes from God above.
The ability to keep going when times get hard comes from trusting in God, not in ourselves. The power to keep up a new habit like dieting or exercise, or to break a bad habit or addiction, doesn't come from you and me gutting it out, but from turning to God and asking him for the power to see our convictions through.
If you were going through a tough time today, if you see something in the future that scares you, if there is something on the horizon that is uncertain, turn to Jesus and ask him for the power to have faith. Ask him to give you courage. Ask him to give you boldness to face your fears. If you are striving to start a good habit, or break a bad one, ask him for the self-discipline to see it through.
Next Steps. Write down your answers to these questions.
What did you hear?
What do you think?
What will you do?
Now talk to God...
Work Cited
Warren, R. (2014). Daily devotions: Transformed: How God Changes Us. Rancho Santa Margarita, CA: Saddleback Church.
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