“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. Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees.” Hebrews 12:11-12 ESV
This is Cringeworthy Of the five “F’s” in our MD5 discipleship program, the most cringeworthy would likely be FITNESS. Why? Because it requires self-discipline and self-control several times each day. As stated in our module for fitness, it’s not about how much you can lift or how fast you can run. It’s about having the energy and ability to live a life in service to God and others. Daily Choices We often focus on the physical activity/exercise part of fitness when the topic comes up. Physical exercise is crucial, but the way we fuel our bodies is also an important part of the equation. We are faced with choices multiple times each day to indulge or refrain from eating the right or wrong type of food our body needs to fuel our activities of the day. Sowing & Reaping The writer of Hebrews is clear that discipline seems painful. Sometimes refusing to indulge in our favorite comfort food can seem really painful! The payoff is reaping the benefits of good, disciplined choices. The principle of sowing and reaping comes into play. Too often we develop unhealthy eating habits early in our young adulthood. Those bad habits, if left unchecked, will result in reaping a multitude of chronic diseases. Consistency is Key It has been estimated that we choose what to eat about 1,000 times a year. Sometimes the choices are limited, but most of the time we have lots to pick from in our culture. When was the last time you really looked at a menu or in the pantry and picked out the most nutritious food? That’s where the discipline comes in. But, self-discipline in those small, simple choices made consistently over time will yield a fruitful result. The Right Perspective So, it’s up to you and the daily choices you make. It’s not about a new diet plan or exhaustive workout routine, it’s about discipline that yields longevity and more opportunities to serve!
Jeff Riddle MD5 Facilitator