LIFE IS PAIN. YOU GET TO CHOOSE: THE PAIN OF DISCIPLINE OR THE PAIN OF REGRET.
I first heard this quote in 2017. The fall of 2017 is when something shifted in me and I went hard after discipline. I think this quote was the catalyst for that shift. I have reaped so many good things as a result of that shift, and I have quoted this quote SO many times in the last 3 years. I want everyone to experience that shift!
We all know the pain of discipline--it's those hard choices--they are truly painful. But have you considered "the pain of regret." There is no getting around pain. So, we get to choose. The pain of discipline brings GOODNESS. The pain of regret brings sorrow and missing out of the goodness discipline brings!
You can also read more from my original blogpost about discipline.
I also have read, sat with, taught, and meditated on Hebrews 12:1-13 so very much the past 6 months. And I conclude this: discipline is SO good! Here are the quick bullet points along with the verses that get me fired up about discipline:
Discipline is so important, that we should put aside things that are keeping us from discipline. (v. 1: "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us")
We see such an example in Jesus. (v. 2-3: "looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.")!
Considering Jesus and His endurance helps us not grow weary or fainthearted. (v. 3: "Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.").
Considering Jesus and His struggle to the point of shedding blood puts our discipline and hard choices in serious perspective. (v. 4: "In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.")!
Considering the Lord helps us see that His discipline and the hard things He has called us to are good--it is LOVE because He wants to give us goodness. (v. 5-10: "And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? 'My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.' It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness.")!
So, may we chose those hard moments of discipline knowing that "later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness." (v. 11: "For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.").
And...what should we do with all of this? GET AFTER IT! (v. 12-13: "Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.")
Try out this EMOM Strength Workout with my husband and me! We walk through Hebrews 12:1-13--especially Hebrews 12:11 while we are working out! This is a hard one--feel free to adjust by doing less repetitions or using lighter weights. But, it is so good to also discipline and strengthen our bodies! Why not workout our hearts and minds as we talk and think on truth while working out our bodies! Enjoy! And, let us know if you give it a try!
There are SO many more videos available at Fitness for the Field.
We would love for you to join us and workout with us regularly!