If you have ever tried to keep your New Year’s resolutions, started a new fitness plan (with the plan of finishing it), or even if you’ve ever woke up on your first alarm, you know the difficulty in disciplining yourself. It is difficult to do hard things that demand persistence.
But, what if you were to delight in discipline? What if that alarm clock sparked joy and promise in your heart? What if that new fitness plan wasn’t something you expected to fail, but something that you expected would grow you?
Whether you are embarking on the Revelation Wellness 21- Day Sugar Fast or you’re trying something else new, these tips are for you.
Here are my top seven tips to help you delight in discipline!
1. Remember WHY you started in the first place.
Whenever I embark on a change in my life or see that something needs to be changed I have to start with the why.
Fasting from sugar is a discipline I’ve embraced a few times. Why would I fast from sugar?
- to learn how to not give in to temptations.
- to learn about new foods and reshape my taste buds
- To learn how to rely on our Father in heaven and not on earthly things.
When I’m tempted to forget about my fast and eat a cookie, I think about these “why” statements to help me stay the course. Take some time to define your why and renew your mind when tempted!
2.Discipline is not harsh it is a privilege
“They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” – Hebrews 12:10-11
When God disciplines us, He is training us to be what He wants us to be. Our good Father wants us to be obedient. He wants us to be truthful. He wants us to be honest. He wants us to be diligent. All of these things take training and discipline.
God is so kind and faithful. He disciplines us for our good. He does not shame us or tell us that we are not good. We can trust when we take steps of obedience He will help us.
3. Overcoming temptation builds confidence / Suffering produces character
I grow more confident and steadfast when I’m able to say no to a dessert when I’m not hungry, when I choose not to buy that candy bar, when I choose to write out my task list and have my planning time each day. But overcoming temptation also sets my heart on the eternal!
“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” Romans 5:3-5
4. Learning how to trust: Prayer & Submission
As an Enneagram 5, I’m very concerned about having enough! At the root, I am afraid that I will not have enough. So, I take it upon myself to make sure I am taken care of. I am so concerned with providing for my real or imagined needs, that I don’t even consider asking God for help (or clarity on the real situation). Now, I am learning to believe that God will show up and help me get through any temptation! Especially if I ask!
I encourage you to pray next time you feel afraid you do not have enough, or you are tempted to believe that the discipline is too much for you.
5. Have a plan!
I find I often go off track with my eating because I do not have a plan. Start by reviewing the week ahead to plan out your meals and move your body. Then you will not be caught off guard!
6. Meditation!
“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” – James 4:8a
Meditation helps you become aware of your physical body and it helps to regulate your emotions. You give yourself the pause to see what is really going on. Eventually, it will pass. If you’ve never tried meditation before, try the Be Still & Be Loved biblical meditations on the Revelation Wellness Podcast. You’ll learn how to regulate your breathing and soak in God’s Word.
7. Have accountability.
Whether it is your journal or a friend at the end of the day ask yourself these questions:
- When was I most alive today?
- What was I thinking, saying seeing?
- When was I the emptiest? What was going on at that moment?
- When did God seem close and when did He seem far away? (Questions are taken from “The Rest of God” by Mark Buchanan)
Ultimately I want to leave you with this: God’s Discipline Proves His Love
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.” -Hebrews 12:1
In the comments below, share your experience so far in the Sugar Fast. Or, share your experience of delighting in discipline.
Jennifer Allen, Platoon 21, lives and with her family in Massachusetts. She is the Revelation Wellness Regional Strategist. She is passionate about Jesus and is grateful to use her gifts, abilities, and even weaknesses to serve Him!
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Workout with us in this #wednesdayworkout! For more workouts like this visit RevWell TV!
Jenn’s Drumsticks and Strength – “Worship”
This workout will flip-flop you back and forth between cardio and resistance training. Sure to keep your body guessing. Muscle confusion? No big deal. God is never confused about us. Get comfortable being uncomfortable! (JOHN 4:23-24, DRUMSTICKS, HAND WEIGHTS, MAT)
https://vimeo.com/revwell/review/434082021/4dbb4609aa
35 Responses
I Just asked God to show me how to be disciplined in the area of finances as i Often worry There won’t be enough. I struggle with saving that becomes hoarding money and other times i overspenD. Then i opened thE email from the sugar fast and here Was the answer. I’ve given up sugar before so this time around it’s not as difficult to say – oR maybe it’s because I’ve become disciplined in this area and now it’s time to get free from the problem with running out of mOney. Thank you lord for Using these wonderful servants To free your people from all TYpes of bondage, Amen.
Isn’t that an answer to prayer?! You’re doing it right!
Thank you for this post. Excellent Words.
Thank you for sharing. We’re so glad this blessed you.
I am struggling!
Which tip will you try today? Discipline is challenging, but you’re not alone!
This was just what i needed this morning. I plan on incorporating the questions in #7 In my journaling from now on. Thank you!
Yes! Those questions are excellent for reflecting on the day and staying the course!
I FEEL CLOSER TO GOD WHEN i AM TAKING CARE OF ME. tHISIS MOST DIFFICULT FOR ME. i HAVE TAKEN CARE OF OTHERS ALL OF MY LIFE AS A MOM, WIFE, TEACHER AND GRANDMA AND i STRUGGLENOW THAT i AM RETIRED WITH A ROUTINE – OTHER THAN MY 2:30NAP EACH DAY THAT i ENJOY AND ALWAYS GAAVE MYSELF THIS TIME TO REFRESH AND RENEW.
How wonderful! Amen!
This is fantastic and exactly what i Needed this morning. I am on a health journey this year being mindful of what i eat, tiMe with god, fitness and mental clarity. i loved the outline and that we need to start with why. Why are we part of the sugar fast? So i REFLECTED on why i am focusing on my health this year. My answer is that the lord crEated my body and the holy spirit lives in me. I want to run this rAce he has mapped out for me with endurance and to not be WEIGHTED down with sin. So i am building strength by conTrolling my thoughts and focusing on the lord and whO he has created me to be. Enjoying life as he had plan without dependence oN food or others Opinion of me. When i struggle i will go back to my why!!!! Thank you so Much for this.
That is beautiful! We’re so glad you’re on this Sugar Fast journey with us!
I love this! I’m looking forward to tAking some time to pray through My thoughts that i can’t manage How i feel PHYSICALLY today, on day 3 of the sugar fast! Gods disciplinE is showing me how much i need to eliminate sugar in my diet and how it really does affect me! Very eye opening! Thanks for this helpful article!
You’re not alone in this sugar fast! Check into the Official Revelation Wellness Community facebook page for more support!
Thank you so much for this devotion. I needed its encourage.
Amen! We’re thankful this blessed you!
Great post, jen! This definitely spoke to me. I hesitated to do the Sugar fast. Prayed about it and almost dismissed it, but there was a voice telling me to do it. i’m not doing the full fast but i am doing it to retrain my taste buds, to seek god more, to hear from god, and as a prayer for my daughters and husband. loved tips #1 and #3
We are cheering you on!
All of the tips are great. i will plan to do a better job using all of them, but I really need to work on tip #5. I have the food in the frig, but don’t plan out the meals ahead of time. I just reach in for something too often. I ask god to help each day! thank you!
Yes, meal planning is a game changer!
The Day 1 message Hit me in the heart the night before last after I ate way too many 2-ingredient oatmeal cookies I “just had to make” with no consideration of walking in the spirti and delaying satisfaction. We are “dead n the water” when we walk in the flesh…. we will pursur pleasure rather than seek the face of God.
I am grateful for that help….. thank you alisa.
We’re so glad this blessed you. Thank you for sharing!
Please excuse the typos…walk in the Spirit…. dead when we pursue flesh and pursue pleasure rather that seek the face of God… Thank you alisa.
Don’twant to distract from the message as it was so heartfelt.
Lord, help us to love your discipline and to live more disciplined lives.
Amen!
I just listened to the “be still”, making that a priority this time around because i TYPICALLY feel “against” it. WOrking to lean in and allow God to lead and take what he has to offer so i can CONTINUE TO GIVE Thanks and RUN THE RACE! I WANT TO FINISH WELL.
You will finish well, Kenzie! So glad you’re on the journey with us!
I lived in MA for 45 years. Where are you located? If I have friends in thAt area, I will connect them with you.
I’ll ask Jen!
This was awesome JEnn!!!!!!!! so good. I definitely need to work on delighting in discipline.
Amen!
I was so scattered this morning in my thoughts. I’m finding myself realizing how obsessed I have been about what I SHOULD weigh or what I SHOULD look like physically. I weighed myself 3 times yesterday again. 2 in the middle of the night. ( I’ve done this in the past when trying to lose weight) I woke up with a headache and so distracted with my phone feeling so much pressure with things I’ve committed to do.
Then the Lord just got ahold of me and said “STOP! put aside all the distractions and feelings of inadequacy.”
So I read and listened to today’s meditation and the timing was crazy good. As I was listening to and picturing the things she was talking about. I came to a place of brokenness and truly I felt so Loved from our Father. It was a realization that He does really love me even in my messiness. I feel like I have failed Him over and over and thinking often times how disappointed He must be. The pressure to always do more and be more exists within me. I had to release it today and ask God “What is it YOU want for my life” not what I want or anyone else”
I don’t know what the answer is to that yet but what I did learn is and was reminded today is His LOVE for me is so much more than all the distractions, obsessions and feelings of inadequacy. Thank you Jesus for this lesson today!
I have Enjoyed so much learning how to do this new way of wellness! This 21 Day Sugar Fast has Taught me so much alReady. I cant wait to see what God will continue to teach me. Thank you Revelation Wellness❤️ AnD thank you God foR the one who introduced me to it. You heavenly Father knew this was for me. God you are so good!
Thank you for sharing! Wow! The Lord is so good. We’re so glad you’re on this sugar fast journey with us!
Saving this, Jennifer. THank you for sharing!
So glad this is helpful for you!