Whole30 diet and other thoughts about discipline...

I am struck by these powerful words from Hebrews 12:11, "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."  The textual context is the discipline of a loving heavenly Father upon His children for their "good, that we may share in His holiness". 

Personally, I am highly motivated when I can attach physical disciplines to a spiritual purpose.  I have long felt that the care of my physical body was mandated by the scriptural idea that my body "is a temple of the Holy Spirit", I Corinthians 6:19.  I have always felt I should treat this permanent guest with better hospitality.  I have always been convicted about my effectiveness when counseling people about addictive behaviors while seeing myself reflected in a mirror exposing my own addiction to food grazing and self-medicating with late night snacks.  Yes, I know, men look on the outside whereas God looks at the heart BUT I do believe that this area reveals my penchant for trusting in my own finite resources--and thus exposing myself to danger--rather than embracing the infinite resources of God's care.

So about eighteen days I embarked on the Whole30 diet.  This is not a testimonial about its relative merits--that's for others to decide--but the net result of eating more carefully and taking care of myself in this intentional way with the primary goal being preserving myself t age 68 for family and ministry--has been astounding.

I feel less tired, more mentally alert, increasingly engaged with my work, and extremely thankful for the reaffirmation that discipline--though painful(no cheese? you gotta' be kidding!) for the moment--"produces of a harvest of righteousness (right living) and peace for those who have been trained by it."

I am not suggesting that you hit the Whole30 diet--you may be physically fit--but I am encouraging you to think about the area(s) in your life that are frequently undermined and sabotaged by your lack of discipline--and I'm guessing we all have them--and bring them under the wisdom of this promise of a meaningful harvest.  I am merely planting a seed, Hopefully you'll apply some water, knowing that God will provide the growth you are seeking.