Discipline

Nothing worthwhile ever comes for free and without some effort. This principle applies to almost all aspects of our lives.

If you want to do well in a sport - you need to train and discipline yourself to achieve your goals.
If you desire to get good grades in your studies, you must put in some hard hours of study.
If you are keen to learn an instrument, you will need to go for lessons and practise, practise, practise.
If you want to become wise, you will need to learn from those who have gone before and be willing to listen to instruction from people who can guide you.

It seems to me that Proverbs 13 is a chapter that keeps gravitating to this idea of discipline, instruction, learning and being willing to grow. Take a read:

"Whoever scorns instruction will pay for it,
    but whoever respects a command is rewarded." - Proverbs 13:13

"Whoever disregards discipline comes to poverty and shame,
    but whoever heeds correction is honored." - Proverbs 13:18

"Walk with the wise and become wise,
    for a companion of fools suffers harm." - Proverbs 13:20

"A refusal to correct is a refusal to love;
    love your children by disciplining them." - Proverbs 13:24 (Message)

What aspect of your life needs to be more disciplined at the moment?

Living in Grace
D3LM3

Hope deferred

How are you coping with this Covid-19 pandemic? I mean - how are you really doing?
What I am finding the most difficult is that there is no timeline - there is no end goal in mind. I think that I would be able to get my mind around each stage of Lockdown if I knew there was an end to each stage. However, for obvious reasons, there is no timeline for any of us and this is the frustrating part for me.

As I was reading through Proverbs 13 today, this is the verse that stood out for me:

"Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life." - Proverbs 13:12

This is becoming many people's reality at the moment - our hearts are becoming 'sick' in some ways. Many people are struggling with anxiety, depression and mental health is starting to become a real issue for many citizens. Can I ask us to pray for people today who are struggling along these lines. Perhaps you even know of a friend or family member who is wrestling with this right now.

"Unrelenting disappointment leaves you heartsick, but a sudden good break can turn life around." - Eugene Peterson (The Message)

"Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness." - Desmond Tutu

Living in Grace
D3LM3