Devotionals

Devotional: I Pray for Self-Discipline {2 Timothy 1:7}

‘The Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline’ {2 Timothy 1:7}

Self-discipline is always something I’ve felt fairly good at in most areas of my life.

But recently, after listening to a Marie Forleo vlog {business + entrepreneur friends, she’s amazing!} I downloaded an app to manage time spent on my phone.

After one week it’s safe to say, this is clearly an area of self-disciple improvement for me!

I’m knees deep in a ‘busy season’ of life right now; feeling powerless to time. Yet, the time I’m spending on my phone doesn’t align with my top priorities — leaving me depleted + overwhelmed with my unfinished to-do’s at the end of the day.

It’s especially important during these ‘busy seasons’ that I set myself up for success, guarding the minutes + hours I do have; and using them in alignment with my top priorities. 

In fact, 2 Timothy goes on to say in verse 1:14, ‘Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you – guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us.’

Devotional Prayer for Self-Discipline {2 Timothy 1:7}

Dear God, 

I pray that with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in me, I can guard the minutes + hours you’ve given me. 

I pray for self-discipline. 

And I pray that you would do more with my minutes + hours than I, alone can. 

Apply It: A Self-Evaluation Exercise

Here’s an exercise I’ve taken from Marie Forleo to help guide my time:

1. Write down + define what success means to you today — this definition used to be primarily business focused for me. But today, it is much more family-focused. Example, being able to shut my computer off at 4/5pm and focus on my family makes me feel successful {and I have a goal of trying not to have log back on once my son goes to bed}.
2. Write down your top 5 priorities in this season of life.
3. Download an app that manages time spent on your phone. At the end of the week, does time spent on your phone align with your top 5 priorities?