Disciplines of A Godly Woman Book Study

If Satan wanted to derail your attempts to grow in godliness, how do you think he’d accomplish it?

Do you think he’d tempt you with reeeeally big, bad sins? Probably not.

I think he’d use distractions or busyness…or how about an undisciplined life?

We don’t need to be in bondage to deep sin to stop our growth in godliness; we just need to live an undisciplined life.

I see it every day on social media. People who feel unqualified for life, resigned to “messy.”

Could it be that we’re unable to do what’s expected of us, not because we’re not capable but because we’re not disciplined?

Isn’t it true that God enables us to meet our callings and He qualifies the called?

When you live an undisciplined life, you just never know what’s going to happen. You don’t know what will come out of your mouth, or what will inhabit your thoughts or headspace. There will be no order to your days, no limits on your eating, sleeping, spending, or leisure. And let’s just face it–your laundry will never be done.

And if we’re living life by the seat of our pants, how can we expect to be prepared to be used by God or for anything else? When feelings rule our days, we’re truly like a city without walls–open to attack, unprepared for hard physical work or hard spiritual work.

I use to think that being “disciplined” was a personality trait. Like, Peter is accountant-ty and I’m artsy, so he’s naturally disciplined and I’m not. I’ve come to realize that discipline, and the self-control needed for discipline is actually a virtue that I’m learning to love more every day. Why? It helps me accomplish my goals, do the works God pre-planned for me, and love others well.

Titus 2 encourages older women to help younger women in areas of self-control, home life, marriage, and motherhood. One of the practical ways we can love others well is through home management which requires plain, old-fashioned, hard work and discipline.

People have asked me how I homeschooled five kids and get so much done. I’m sure they assume I am naturally organized (eye roll. Just ask Peter.) but little do they know that I’ve had to learn this just to stay afloat.

When I was a new wife and mom, light dawned. I noticed patterns like the kids need to eat three (or five) times a day –and in order to feed them, there needs to be a food plan. Lol. I realized that birthdays are annual,  so I could actually buy cards and gifts ahead of time! (Lightbulb!) And that the laundry doesn’t walk into the machine and needs to be rotated on an actual schedule. (Yes, I must have been a dream wife! lol)

It has taken me years to get to this point and I’m still not where I’d like to be. My artist/creative/idealistic self would much rather drop it all and run out for coffee, pick up a paintbrush, or go antiquing.

But I’ve learned that discipline actually helps me accomplish my ideals and that the fallout of an undisciplined life is so much worse than just doing the work before me and sticking to my schedule.

Also, I’ve learned that my spiritual health depends on the simple discipline of getting into the Bible every morning whether I feel like it or not. And that when I prioritize knowing God, I have answers and hope to offer my children, friends, and other women who might ask me for help or counsel.

Maybe you’re struggling in this area, too. Maybe you’re not growing in godliness (or anything else) because you’re stuck in an undisciplined life, but want to change.

If so, here’s the good news: struggling does not define you. You don’t have to stay stuck.

You just need a small shift in thinking:  that your ideals and goals are worth pursuing and are way better than your temporary enjoyment. And you are capable of doing what God has called you to do! God doesn’t tell us to do things we can’t perform.

Discipline will help you perform the God-given responsibilities you are called to do.

We are all growing in grace,

and we are all working to cultivate beauty in our lives,

eliminate chaos,

and have fewer mess-ups and failures.

Why? So we can look good? Run a tight ship?

No, because Christ is worthy of our best work. All should be done for Him and is a reflection of our high regard for Him.

The way I care for my home, dress my kids, talk to my kids, serve my neighbors, it’s all for Him.

So if you’re done with being disorganized, and desire to embrace the blessing of discipline in your life, join me on Instagram stories on Mondays.

We’ll be talking through the classic book,  Disciplines of A Godly Woman, (<–Amazon link.) which I highly recommend. It’s not a new book–I think I read it first around 2002 as a young wife. This is not a feel-good book, and it will step on your toes, but the author is relatable and mercifully, not the naturally disciplined type. It helps to see her journey and laugh along with her at her own mistakes.  It will help you as you seek to live an intentional, Christ-centered life.

Crossway seems to be giving away a free download of this book to some here in this email campaign.  It’s worth a try!