DISICIPLINED BEHAVIOR

“When I pray, coincidences happen; when I stop praying, the coincidences stop happening.”
William Temple (1881-1944) Archbishop of Canterbury

Dave Peterson writes, “The longing for God begins as a feeling, but it grows as a discipline. A critical moment in our lives with God comes when our feelings alone are no longer strong enough to sustain the necessary next-step behaviors. This is not to say that we no longer have feelings for God, but rather that the next steps toward maturity require lifestyle, attitude, and worldview changes that are so strenuous that our love for God must also toughen into disciplined behaviors.”

Disciplined behavior goes past feelings very quickly unless my relationships are merely emotional and superficial. There is toughness to faith that is simply that: toughness. This is especially important when we don’t feel like faith or anything else is present and working for us. We then rely on what’s been formed in us and not how we feel.

“Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.” Jesus