Disciplines #1

I heard a term awhile ago. Spiritual discipline - I had to research what this actually meant as some theological terms are very new to me. So I found that a spiritual discipline is something we can do individually or corporately (in a group setting) to be with Jesus and grow to be more like Him. While we will never be perfect, as He is, we can strive for growth to be more like Him. The practices I found were to help us do just that.

One thing to remember is the disciplines are NOT products of the Holy Spirit, as the fruits are. Nor are they character traits. They are practices we can choose to do. They will most likely take us deeper in the understanding of the gospel. I borrowed a book on this subject because like I said I am new to all these terms and practices, so I had to study up on them.

The first one I came across is the discipline of GRATITUDE - This is an idea of being thankful in response to God. We should be thankful for His presence with us.....all the time. We should be in a mode of thankfulness each and every day/hour/minute knowing our God is with us. The choices we make in this life are ours. The choices we make can turn us into grateful or bitter people. Think about this.....I want spaghetti for dinner. My son wants tacos. According to what I just typed here, we should be grateful to God for the food we have in our house, so deciding what to make should not be an issue, but we make it one. Well....since I am the mom and want spaghetti, we eat that. My son isn't happy, and now he's bitter because he didn't get his tacos. We have to be disciplined in being grateful. Having an attitude of gratitude is key.
Another example.....I am at work and someone is not happy with the wait time. They have been in the ER a whole 15 minutes and feel they have been waiting unfairly too long.  So....they come and yell at me and tell me I don't know what I'm doing (even though it's not up to me to get them through the doors at all) and cuss a little too. I apologize a lot and try to explain how things are done. Now, I have a choice....I can be grateful to God I have a job....that I do love, by the way....OR  I can be bitter the rest of my shift and take it out on everyone else I come in contact with because someone was unkind to me. Being grateful is what we need to do. Again, it's a discipline, so we have to work at it. Doing the right thing does not come natural. We have to work at it....A LOT.

Psalm 136: 1-2 tells us to give thanks to the Lord for He is good. His love lasts forever!
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 - Be joyful, pray always, give thanks in ALL circumstances.
Philippians 4:6 - No anxiety, but prayer and thanksgiving are key to a healthy Christian life!