See Yourself as That Person

When it comes to self-discipline, how do you think? Yes, this week regarding discipline we have focused on:

• What is It
• Who is God
• Who are You
• and for today, How do You Think

After you finish reading this blog post, see yourself as That Person.

Another definition of discipline: 

That quality which allows a person to do what needs to be done when he or she doesn’t feel like doing it. 

Proverbs 31:10-31:

^10 [a]A wife of noble character who can find?
    She is worth far more than rubies.
¹¹ Her husband has full confidence in her
    and lacks nothing of value.
¹² She brings him good, not harm,
    all the days of her life.
¹³ She selects wool and flax
    and works with eager hands.
¹⁴ She is like the merchant ships,
    bringing her food from afar.
¹⁵ She gets up while it is still night;
    she provides food for her family
    and portions for her female servants.
¹⁶ She considers a field and buys it;
    out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
¹⁷ She sets about her work vigorously;
    her arms are strong for her tasks.
¹⁸ She sees that her trading is profitable,
    and her lamp does not go out at night.
¹⁹ In her hand she holds the distaff
    and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
²⁰ She opens her arms to the poor
    and extends her hands to the needy.
²¹ When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
    for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
²² She makes coverings for her bed;
    she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
²³ Her husband is respected at the city gate,
    where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
²⁴ She makes linen garments and sells them,
    and supplies the merchants with sashes.
²⁵ She is clothed with strength and dignity;
    she can laugh at the days to come.
²⁶ She speaks with wisdom,
    and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
²⁷ She watches over the affairs of her household
    and does not eat the bread of idleness.
²⁸ Her children arise and call her blessed;
    her husband also, and he praises her:
²⁹ “Many women do noble things,
    but you surpass them all.”
³⁰ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
    but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
³¹ Honor her for all that her hands have done,
    and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Smart Husbands Do This…

Yes I have written this scripture in a card at least once to my wife (what smart husband wouldn’t). And yes my love I know you are reading this and I wrote it because it’s true. 😊

Who is this woman with such discipline?  She must have had a dream, something God put on her heart, and was not to be denied.  She was definitely at 212 degrees and had to have been in disciplined (strict) training to have such an outcome.

An Elusive Quality, Self-Discipline

The difference many times between a successful business owner and another one who just didn’t quite get there is self-discipline.  Someone who was willing to ‘tough it out’ in risking an opinion or making a decision that paralyzed others – others that were too tired, too afraid, too apathetic, too many excuses. This is someone who just went after a dream but then it just became another job.  This person is that person who has that elusive quality called self-discipline.

Your Characteristics

Is this woman in Proverbs 31 a literal woman, or is this just Wisdom personified?  Either way her character is you, so see yourself as that person, who:

• Is noble and greatly valued (v. 10)
• Gets the job done regardless of what it takes…and has full confidence in others (v. 11)
• Works hard to make a profit (vv. 11-15)
• Delays gratification and pleasure to invest profits (v. 16-18)
• Works investments for maximum return (v. 19)
• Generously participates in the community by sharing with the needy (v. 20)
• Has no fear of the future (your faith/rest/Sabath/trust is in the Lord) (v. 21-27)
• Is honored, respected, admired, praised and rewarded (vv. 28-31)

Challenge for today – this is the way you think.  See yourself as that person where the Word of God is manifest in and through you.  Now that you have already started, let the ‘strict training’ continue!  So be it.