Discipline over Motivation

Discipline has a lot of definitions but for the sake of the message, I will define discipline as the ability to keep working at something difficult. Motivation is defined as a reason for acting or behaving in a particular way. 

The main difference between discipline and motivation is that motivation is driven by feelings whereas discipline is driven by self control.  So now that I have established the key difference, let us dive in! 

I have come to realise that the reason why my walk with Christ would always seem to flatline was that I would tackle it from a place feelings. I would make the decision that I want to take my walk with Christ serious, I would feel the fire, I would find a good bible plan. All the works. 

Then two weeks into that decision, I start giving into feelings of laziness. Three weeks into the decision, the fire has died down and I start entertaining thoughts of, "I don't feel like God hears me when I pray", "I am not in the mood to read the Bible today". The common denominator here is that I would let my feelings rule over me instead of me having dominion over them. As children of God we are called to have dominion over everything feelings—included.

In Genesis we see the consequence of lacking control over our emotions. In Genesis 4, we see the first murder. Cain was angry at his brother because Abel's offering and Abel himself were respected by God. In that moment, Cain got angry and God asks Cain why he is angry. 

Genesis 4 vs 7 (NKJV):

"If you do well will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it."

This is before Cain kills Abel and this verse is a warning to Cain. God is essentially telling Cain that sin is waiting at his door desiring to have him. In that moment, the anger that Cain felt was going to lead him into sin, and it did. This verse and many other verses show the importance of having dominion over our emotions.

I have had to learn discipline. Discipline is saying, "I don't feel like reading my Bible but I will still do it", discipline is knowing to continue in prayer even when it feels difficult or it feels like my prayer is not being heard. Another thing I have had to learn to is that there is no prayer that is not registered by God. The moment you call his name, you have his attention. This is why we are commanded against using the Lord's name in vain. If my earthly father listens when I call, how much more will my Heavenly Father? 

Walking with Christ is not linear. It won't always be easy but it will always be worth it. Discipline is important for those time where it feels difficult. I have a prayer schedule and this is how it comes in handy for me. I have set aside certain hours to be found in prayer. There are times where in those hours, the prayer is flowing and it's all good. But then, there are times when it is DIFFICULT. 

If I follow my feelings, then I would just stop praying because it feels difficult. But now that I have discipline, I stay in that moment. If I can't pray, then I will use that time to read Scripture or be found in worship. Discipline is me knowing that I set that time aside for God, "not feeling it" is not a good enough excuse.

If we seek God based on our feelings, our walk with Christ will lack depth. Discipline builds consistency, and with consistency comes growth.

Choose discipline over motivation. Start small and God will handle the rest.

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