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Have you ever found yourself living in regret? Maybe you have made a poor decision or series of not so wise choices and now you are paying the price so to speak?
The other day I was sitting in a coffee shop waiting to meet up with a friend when I noticed a pen sitting on the table in front of me. I could tell that it had something written on it so I picked it up, and scribed on the side were the words, “I choose the pain of discipline over the pain of regret.” I think it was a slogan for a weight loss program but as I read those words I thought, “Wow, what a great motto for life.”
Whether you want to lose 30 pounds, improve your sleep habits, learn a new language or land a promotion, achieving your goals will require discipline. Choosing what you want most over what you want now.
That requires something that we all find challenging at times, delayed gratification. “I really want that donut, but I want better physical health more.” “I want to scroll on social media before bedtime but getting eight hours of sleep is more important to me.” “I want to do just enough to get by at work but my greater desire is career advancement.” What you want over the long haul will require you to kick in some self-restraint in the here and now. It will call upon you to resist short-term temptation for the longer-term satisfaction of reaching your goals.
First Corinthians 10:13 is a verse I memorized years ago that is my go to reminder in times when my self-control is tested.
“The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure” (1 Corinthians 10:13 NLT).
Did you notice that? “Not “if” you are tempted but “when” you are tempted!” Being lured into less than helpful habits is a part of life, but you have the faithfulness of God to help you by the power of his Holy Spirit.
A fruit of the Holy Spirit is self-control which means you have the ability to master your desires, passions, and appetite! I know it is easier said than done. And if we get a little honest, sometimes we don’t want to forgo a desire in the now because it feels good. But as a follower of Jesus, you are not to be ruled by your feelings and impulses. So, when you are lured into a behavior that you know will not be beneficial in the long run, remember, choose the pain of discipline now over the pain of regret later.