When you are struggling with discipline in your life, you are constantly on the verge of breaking through. Jonah struggled with the decision of going to Nineveh since his mind was already made up as to what God would do there. Second guessing the Lord is not really a good move. Going to Nineveh was a matter of discipline. Jonah wavered in responding to God and went to Tarshish instead. Tarshish is a place where you have no peace and constantly struggle within yourself. You see, being out of the will of God takes away all the good things like rest, peace, and joy.

You may be debating in your mind what to do about something. Your mind is struggling to make a decision. So, stay with it. Make no move. Discipline is simply staying within reach of the will of God. Discipline is not running away to Tarshish in your mind. Yes, it is a hot seat. It bothers you and pain sets in; however, it is better than running and hiding.

Remember that God established you. You were called. Do not doubt and question His move in your life. Now, when the weather is on the blink and questions arise as to direction, never doubt that God still has a plan and He will fulfill it with power.

How does discipline work? It begins with your body. If you eat whatever you want, your mind will be listening to your body, and that wrecks everything. Remember Hebrews 4:12, “The word of God is living and active. Sharper than any two edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” The change God is going to make begins from the inside out. It begins first in your thoughts. What makes you stop eating the wrong food is your mind. You might say that it is the subconscious in you which decides to eat either ribs or vegetables. But it is the Word of God which penetrates all the way down to your very inner thoughts and begins to change you. Then you have your attitudes. Well you know, some attitudes should never be expressed. Yes, that part of you that hates and will not forgive needs to be put away from you. “ATTITUDES” REFERS TO OTHERS. It does not matter if you want to say it, NEVER, NEVER SHOULD YOU EXPRESS IT. God begins to deal with the automatic will within you.

Discipline begins in your thoughts. Jonah should have made up his mind to go to Nineveh. To be in the belly of a big fish is not comfortable. Be obedient to God and do what He tells you to do.

Are you on the verge of breaking through? Perhaps today is the day. Listen to what God is telling you deep in your heart. Rest on that thought. One day later, put that thought into practice and do exactly what you heard from God. Try not to decide how it will turn out. Simply, turn it over. Let the Holy Spirit bring things together. It may feel like you totally lost control of your life. An empty feeling will come over you and anxiety may set in. Hold on for dear life and wait a little more. Then when you least expect it, God will move. I guess when Jonah saw Nineveh fasting and praying, he could not believe it, since his mind had already been made up! You rest and move only when God tells you to move. BE OBEDIENT!! Your breakthrough will come.

Rick Bonfim

Edited by Betty McKinney