The average human attention span is about 20 minutes without distractions, but get on social media and that 20 minutes moves to about 12 seconds before something calls for attention. When I start to feel my ability to focus wane, I course correct! Why? Because I know that the ability to focus is more powerful than we can understand. Focus is a superpower that ensures that effort and hard work deliver the desired results. The good news is it is a superpower available to everyone. But you have to work it. Having an untrained mind and soul will get you in drift mode faster than anything else. People may put their attention on their physical training, looking for that smaller waist line or cut abs, and start the year off with a new years resolution to go to the gym but if the training of their will, mind, and heart are lacking, they will quit!

Many fail not from lack of passion but from lack of focus and discipline.

Psalm 94:12 Blessed is the one you discipline, Lord,
    the one you teach from your law;
¹³ you grant them relief from days of trouble,
    till a pit is dug for the wicked.
¹⁴ For the Lord will not reject his people;
    he will never forsake his inheritance.
¹⁵ Judgment will again be founded on righteousness,
    and all the upright in heart will follow it.

Spiritual disciplines are just as important if not more, because spiritual disciplines are meant to form in us Christ-likeness. Learning to quiet the mind through silence and solitude so that we can hear God is a must for the Christian. Discipline becomes a blessing because it opens us up to so much. The power of God behind our obedience to train, is unmatched by self will, which certainly can not bear out the same results.

Being disciplined simply means to receive correction and training. It means to learn.

When we allow discipline in our lives it blesses us. We learn from the Lord, we find relief when trouble comes, and the wicked are dealt with. When our focus is on the Lord, when trouble comes, we won’t get distracted and veer off course putting ourselves in the ditch like the senseless or the fool. No, God offers us relief or rest! We can be at peace with Him until the wicked (Did you know the first time wicked is mentioned in the Bible is says this: every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil?) go every which in their hearts until they end up in the pit dug for them. God Himself will set all things right by His righteous judgment. The Lord does not forget us and His promises are sure. The upright in heart will follow.

Discipline is a gift!

Father, You are the God who sees all things and knows all hearts. You see our human frailties, our disbelief, our arrogance, the evil deeds we do, and our boasting. Lord, we turn and repent of our running and going. We repent of our wicked turning in heart and mind. Our ways are futile but your judgments stand. Lord be our help. Teach us and help us learn. Discipline us and correct our path. Become our fortress and the rock that we take refuge within. Give us rest. For with you we can stop to churning and burning in our souls to run at break neck speed. We can let go of our need for control and our need to be right. I turn to you Lord my God and refuge. Save me from myself. Teach me to slow and be with you. You are all I need.

Do you feel all over the place lately? Do you need the discipline of God to come and teach you rest? Take some time to quiet your mind and rest your soul in God today.

Thanks for Listening,

Starla