Moderation and self-discipline

When it comes to moderation, self-discipline comes into play. Without self-discipline, there can be no moderation. What is self-discipline? Explanatory dictionary of the Estonian language says this: self-discipline is the ability to control oneself, to submit to a certain order and principles set by oneself in one's actions.

Have you ever made New Year's resolutions? How long have you been able to keep them? The new year is coming soon, and usually at the beginning of January people are most eager to keep their resolutions, but as time goes on, their strength begins to wane.

Self-discipline is like a muscle

This is where self-discipline comes into play. Self-discipline helps you focus on your goal. It helps you to have control over yourself and your reactions in any situation. Self-discipline is like a muscle: the more you exercise it, the stronger it becomes. Lack of self-discipline leads to low self-esteem.

According to an article published in Psychological Science, self-discipline is a better predictor of academic success than IQ. The study found that adolescents with high self-discipline outperformed their more impulsive peers on all measures of academic performance, including grades, test scores, admission to competitive high schools, and participation in extracurricular activities.

Self-discipline means making smart choices. From the food you eat to the amount of physical activity you do, everything depends on discipline. For example, exercise promotes control over your body, which can lead to better control over other aspects of your life, which is a major defense against stress. People who exercise regularly have higher self-esteem and maintain self-discipline.

The Five Pillars of Self-Discipline

The five pillars of self-discipline are acceptance, willpower, hard work, diligence and perseverance.

• Acceptance is the most fundamental challenge that people face. They are unable to accurately perceive and accept their current situation. It is important to identify the area where your discipline is weakest. Assess where you are now, accept your situation, and create an action plan for yourself to improve in that area.
• Willpower is when you focus your energy. You choose a goal, create a plan of attack, and execute it. Your willpower is at its lowest when you're stressed.
• Hard work is something that many people try to avoid by doing what is easiest. But good results are usually the result of hard work.
• Hard work is when you develop the capacity to put in the effort and put in the time.
• Persistence allows you to continue taking action even when you lack motivation at the moment.

Self-discipline becomes a powerful tool when combined with goal setting and planning. Write down your goals and make sure you do everything you can to stick to them. Always complete each goal you set before starting a new one.

Where to start with cultivating self-control?

Achieving self-control doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time and practice, but it does require a strong desire to start and a commitment. The most important thing is to start! As you begin to cultivate self-discipline, prayerfully open your Bible and allow the Holy Spirit to guide you.

Here are some tips to help you get started:

• Inventory: Try keeping a journal of your progress. You can start by noting down your struggles with self-control. Write down your thoughts and feelings about those struggles. Write down prayers and helpful Bible verses.
• Remove things in your life that may be negatively affecting your willpower. No one is telling you to gouge out your eye or chop off your arm, but maybe you can adjust something in your environment to make the journey to self-control easier. For example, if your problem is excessive snacking, start by not buying snacks at home.
• Study the life of Jesus and how He responded to provocations. Jesus is our ultimate example, and by looking to Him we can become more like Him.
• Learn to say no. We cannot pour from an empty cup, and we are not called to do everything.
• Reply vs. react. Pause before you react. (That's why people are told to count to ten when they get angry!) Sometimes it just takes a little more thought to avoid reacting in a way we might regret later.
• Take responsibility. Your journal can help with this. Be honest about what you are struggling with and don't punish yourself for your mistakes. You can find someone to check in with you and help you stay on track.
• Start with small goals and create an action plan for each goal. Reward yourself!

Remember: God has sent His Holy Spirit to help us on this journey. James 4:7 says, “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”