My verse today for my Soap journaling is 2 Timothy 1:7, “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and self-discipline.”

O(observation- about the verse)- Fear is not from God.  He gives us a spirit of power, love and self-discipline.

A(application of the verse to my life)- I have read this verse tons.  I think even memorized it at times but today the word self-discipline jumped out.  God gives that to me.  But I think like many gifts- will I accept it and choose to use and experience a gift?  Will I live in it?  Self-discipline can be such a gift.  Difficult but wonderful to reap the results of what has been sowed because of it.

But often things that are worth it require something of us.  A million examples:

-an awesome marriage takes tons of work and intentionality

– a healthy body requires exercise and discipline to say no to things or not yes too often

-a good grade takes discipline to study and do the homework

-being an involved parent means being disciplined enough to put their needs above our own and intentionality in planning fun and turning off our phones and facebook in order to play monopoly(that game is like torture-why do kids love it?)

That verse is a good one for me to memorize.  I have often used it when I am afraid.  Another translation says a spirit of fear instead of timidity.  So good to remember that God has given me a spirit of self-discipline.

P(prayer)- Jesus, help me to live with a spirit of self discipline, courage and love.