Self Discipline

Now there's a phrase everyone loves and hates. I wonder what percentage of New Year's resolutions each year could fall under the category of Self Discipline. Lose Weight, exercise more, get 'that project' done, etc. etc. Some of us are more disciplined than others and some of us are sorely lacking in this area. For me, time management and initiative were always my areas of poor discipline. I've never been afraid to work hard, but taking the initiative wasn't my thing. And as for managing time, I've never been good at that at all. As I have gotten older and busier, I have had to do much better, but there are still so many areas where I could use more discipline. In looking up discipline in the Bible, you hit two ideas...at least you seem to. Discipline in the Old Testament is all about correction and punishment. "Spare the rod, spoil the child" type stuff. In the New Testament you get more of the idea (it seems) of self restraint and self discipline like we think of it now. Like we would say, "I need to be more disciplined in this area. But when I looked up the New Testament word for discipline, the primary meaning was to punch in the eye. Whoa, kinda violent. I think that is why we have such a problem with self discipline. It is a form of tough correction. We have this sin nature that is unbridled. It wants to just go and satisfy its appetites, whether those appetites are food, or free time, or leisure, pleasure, or whatever. We have to be violent with it. Paul said he buffeted his body and made it his slave. The word discipline really means to cause black & blue. I need to be tougher on myself in many areas. I let myself get away with far too much. I need to violently deal with the sin nature, the flesh, within me and not let it get away with eating too much of the wrong stuff, wasting time, not accomplishing things because I'm "tired after a long day." Etc. Some of the areas where I need to push and force myself are small, non-crucial areas. They may be unimportant areas, but the discipline is vital! So, what parts of yourself do you need to Discipline?