By Sidharth Mohandas

I remember when I started going to the gym some time back I experienced pain in parts of my body, and the instructor told me that it was because my muscle was growing and that I was to continue working on my muscles. The same goes for every area of your life. I remember how hard it was for me to wake up early in the morning. I would extend 5 minutes at a time thinking I’d wake up early the next day. But it didn’t happen that way. I had to get over the initial pain and go beyond it to master getting up early. It was hard for me the first few days, but as I was being consistent, my body had to get used to my routine. The problem is, most of us let our flesh set our routines. But Paul tells us, “I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” [1 Corinthians 9:27]

There are specific areas in our life that we need to consider. How many times have we left home without making our bed? How many times have we walked over our clothes on the floor without bending down and picking it up? How many times have we left dishes to wash for the next day? Are we disciplined in eating? Do we eat food that is not good for our body? For instance junk foods like Lays and Pringles that have a lot of MSG in it. Do we keep away from them after knowing how harmful they are to our body?

The worst thing you can do is to procrastinate. Don’t ever push anything for a later time. I remember how I struggled when I had been addicted to watching pornography during high school days. I told the Lord that I’d keep away from them. But when tempted, I’d tell the Lord that I would stop watching porn after “this last” time. And as usual that last time never came until I decided to say “no” at the moment of temptation. I do agree that it is painful and you tend to be restless, but remember what the Word of God says, “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it”. [Hebrews 12:11]

Let this be our prayer everyday: “Search me, O Lord, and know my heart. Try me, and know my thoughts. See if there be any wicked way in me and lead me in the path everlasting” [Psalm 139:23, 24]