Training to Be an Athlete

"The greatest victories in life always take discipline, desire is never enough."

My husband said this during his message last week and I have been pondering it ever since.

To be perfectly honest with you, I don't like this statement.

I grew up watching Disney movies. I even wanted to be a Disney princess. "Who is my favorite princess?" you ask. Cinderella, of course. "A dream is a wish your heart makes . . . if you keep on believing, the dream that you wish will come true."

I like this statement. I can just wish for something and it happens. Too bad it's not true. Can I wish it true? Nope . . . because I don't live in the make believe world anymore (unfortunately).

The first part of 1 Corinthians 9:27 says, "I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should."

An athlete can't just train when he or she feels like it, and be a couch potato and eat junk food the rest of the time. That athlete would not be in peak condition when it's time to perform or compete.

If I don't discipline myself now to read and study my Bible, pray, memorize Scripture, fast, and meditate, then I won't be in peak condition when the trials of life try to knock me down.

I want to be in peak condition when it's time for me to step out in faith. That's going to take discipline. After all . . . "The greatest victories in life always take discipline, desire is never enough."

Want to strive to be an athlete of the faith with me?