And at the end of your life you groan, when your flesh and your body are consumed, and you say, "How I hated discipline, and my heart despised reproof! I did not listen to the voice of my teachers or incline my ear to my instructors. I am on the brink of utter ruin..."

Proverbs 5:11-14, ESV

 

Have you ever felt this way? Perhaps you are not at the end of your life, but you are at the end of your rope. Maybe you have gotten into something you shouldn't have. Maybe your health is shot from poor decisions. Maybe it's financial ruin you are facing or maybe you have even found yourself in prison for past mistakes. Whatever the specifics of your individual situation, the root of the problem is often the same: You hated discipline and now you are paying the penalty!

 

Let me be quick to say that not all of the bad situations we find ourselves in life are as a result of some fault of our own. There are plenty of times when we suffer simply because of a bad break that was beyond our control - this article is not about such circumstances at all. The article today is about those times that we find ourselves in dire straits solely because of a lack of discipline on our part, the part of others, or a combination of the two. It's like the passage we read above about a man who is on the brink of utter ruin because he has chosen to enter into sin. 

 

Let me also clarify one additional point: Sometimes our bad situations are not because of some specific sin but are a result of a lack of discipline in some area that is not necessarily wicked in and of itself.  Our budgets get out of hand, our bodies get out of shape, our relationships fall apart - all can be true without our being involved in some sort of "high-handed" sin. But these things still have something in common: They often are a direct result of a lack of discipline!

 

The internet is full of such examples. We see someone who is bemoaning the fact that they can no longer afford the high cost of food, but when they show their "proof" by revealing their shopping cart, it is often filled with high-dollar snack foods, alcohol, tobacco products, and high-cost, name brand foods. When we suggest to them that they could cut back on such items and start loading their menus with beans and rice, they often become deeply offended! They will be quick to tell you they don't work like slaves in order to eat like slaves, but the fact remains: They hate the discipline that those who are more willing to face reality possess, and as a result, they are in over their heads.

 

It's the same with purchases of new cars and big houses. Again, we all understand that prices have gotten out of hand for even the most prudent of budgeters, but we are focusing now on those who have got in over their heads because they lacked the discipline to tell themselves no when it came to their "dream" cars and "forever" homes. 

 

And then there are those of us who have a hard time pushing our way from the dinner table and going out for a healthy walk or taking part in some other form of needed exercise. Add that to the poor habits of drinking to excess or smoking, and you can see why people are so unhealthy. This is not just "bad luck", it is a hatred of discipline. And whether it be in the area of money or health, or in those areas of sinful activity, the result is always the same: At the end of our lives when our flesh and bodies are consumed and we say, "How I hated discipline" it will be too late... the damage has been done!

 

Perhaps the saddest thing for those who find themselves in that situation, will be the realization that they could have done something about it if they had only lived more intentionally!

 

So much of the trouble we find ourselves in is simply the result of a lack of thought. It felt good to do something, so we did it! We didn't care what others thought, nor did we have a particularly impressive amount of thought put into these activities on our part. We just "had another beer" or "ate another twinkie" or "put another thing on the card" or went a little "too far" with that cute guy or girl. In each case, we were heedless of the damage that these things would do to our bodies, our budgets and our souls, for the simple fact that we simply didn't think about tomorrow because we were living for today.

 

In short, we hated discipline... so we killed it! 

 

And because of this lack of foresight, we found ourselves in some situation or another that we hated even more than the discipline we were once so quick to despise. But what can we do? Is it too late for us? The answer to the latter question is that it is never too late to turn back to God. But don't fool yourself - it is going to be hard! Getting back in shape is always harder than getting out of shape. Regaining financial control is always more difficult than it was when you were out of control. And coming back to God (or coming to Him for the first time) has always required more effort than serving the devil ever will. Maybe the reason for that is most people who serve Satan don't believe that they are, but don't fool yourselves in this. In this life we will serve one or the other. Since our eternity hangs in the balance, it behooves us to start being intentional in this choice. 

 

I am now entering into the final phase of my lifespan. I see a lot of the people that I grew up with whose bodies, finances, and souls are battered beyond anything they would have recognized when they were younger. Some, unfortunately, are already dead because of their poor decisions. I do not see myself as superior to any of these, for I once took part in many of their bad decisions and, for a season, I too suffered the consequences. But, by the grace of God and the help of many precious people, I was able to get ahold of myself. It was not easy, nor was it by result of some sort of magical formula.

 

I simply stopped hating discipline, and I began to live a life of purpose. When I started being intentional with my decisions my life got way better than anything I deserved, and yours can too. If you find yourself at a crossroads in life, realizing that you are in significant trouble because you have made significantly bad decisions, then understand you are not alone. Most people hate discipline and as a result have suffered greatly for having done so. The good news is that you can change starting right at this very moment. 

 

It will require that you face your problems honestly. It will likely require repentance, for much of our undisciplined activities are nothing short of sin. It will take a humble return to God, and a pleading with Him for His direction (which you can find in the Bible) and a pleading for His help (which you can receive through prayer). These types of things do require discipline. And discipline, I believe you will discover, always requires intention.

 

Do you think it is time for you to begin to live an intentional life? Then, start today! You may still have to live with many of the physical consequences for your past undisciplined life, but you will have the prospect of an eternity with God and Christ to look forward to.