Removing The Hindrances

Like Paul, we too are called to press toward a goal in our spiritual journey, and in other aspects of our lives. In any pursuit of self-discipline, we must have a clear goal that drives us in times of struggle and opposition.

It doesn’t matter if your goal is to work on your diet and lose weight, go back to school and get your degree, learn how to swim, build up your savings account, quit smoking, anger management, or to read through the bible in a year. As Christians, we are called to tap into the power of the Holy Spirit within us for the self-discipline to stay the course.

2. STOP PROCRASTINATING AND GET STARTED- JUST DO IT! We’ve all heard the saying that ‘procrastination is the thief of time’, because time is the one thing we can never get back once it’s gone.

3. BE WILLING TO DO THE NECESSARY WORK- Self-discipline requires work. Hard work. The one thing some people try to avoid at some point or another.

God didn’t give us a pass on hard work. He gave us His Holy Spirit to help us do the work so that it wouldn’t seem as hard. We will face some of the same circumstances, challenges, and struggles that non-Christians do, but we will go through it differently because of God.

4. ELIMINATE AND AVOID DISTRACTIONS- In your journey to become more self-disciplined, it is essential to identify anything that may be a distraction or hindrance to your goal. Distracted During Prayer…

In the middle of a prayer, whether praying silently or aloud, my mind would bounce from one thing to the next. Dear God in heaven, I pray that you heal my friend who has cancer. Work in her life now in the name of . . . I really need to go to the hospital to see her again. Oh wait, I haven’t changed the oil in the car. And we’re out of cereal. The kids are gonna kill me. And Amy has a doctor’s appointment today—did we pay that last insurance bill? I can’t believe how much it’s going up this year! Oh, yeah, this week’s sermon—still need to find a strong illustration . . . Oh, I’m sorry, Lord, what were we talking about?

B. The Christian Needs Accountability- Prov.12:15 “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.”

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE TEACH US ABOUT ACCOUNTABILITY?

There is a Blessing in Accountability! What is the blessing?

1. The blessing of accountability is that it motivates us. When we know someone is going to be checking up on us it has a positive effect on our character. People want people to think well of them and therefore work harder on the projects that they are held accountable too. When someone makes a decision to change but is unwilling to be held accountable it reveals his lack of commitment and character. When someone sets financial, fitness, or faith goals but refuses accountability the odds are they are just dreamers not doers. 2. The person who sets goals with intentional accountability over them is more apt to achieve them. Maybe you want to memorize a chapter of scripture, there will be a blessing in being held accountable because, one, you have given your word and now your character is at stake. Two, you may motivate the one holding you accountable to do the same. Accountability allows us to prove ourselves before others, which builds inner confidence and integrity