SELF-DISCIPLINE IS YOUR FRIEND IF YOU HAVE IT, BUT YOUR WORST ENEMY IF YOU DON’T HAVE IT!
Photo: Papa Crowell delights in watching children; especially his grandchildren develop the prized self-discipline in their young lives.
Why? Because S.D. is a tool to solve a problem. Abundance of self-discipline means you have many tools to solve many problems.
Jennifer Crowell Ferch, COO of NBC Camps often exhorts the staff to use the correct tool to solve a problem. Without exception, when a parent uses the wrong tool to fix a kid problem, the problem expands.
The three Crowell boys delight in sharing childhood stories about our dad. Larry doubles over in laughter as he reenacts dad’s futile attempt to start the family lawn mower. After pulling a cord until sweat and fatigue took over, dad tried kicking it. Finally the chosen fix it tool was a hammer! Eventually the lawn got cut. The final solution was the purchase of a new lawn mower.
Only those of us who have labored over starting a mower, or chainsaw, or boat motor can identify with this true story.
As we roar into 2016, few character traits or fruits of the spirit can pay greater dividends in our quest for a rich and fulfilling year.
St. Paul says that the fruit of the Holy Spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faith, goodness, gentleness and self-control. Without self-discipline integrity, honesty and hard work, many other character qualities are jeopardized.
In Meet My Head Coach there is a chapter titled No Longer A Slave. I confess, S.D. is my most difficult character trait. If chocolate were a defensive back, I’d never score a touchdown against that sweet goal defender. When I say no pizza, it can outrun me no matter how fast I run.
Hebrews 12:11 says. No discipline is pleasant at the time however later on it produces a harvest of peace and righteousness for those who are trained by it.
Self-discipline is at the top of my 2016 list of challenges.
