The World-Changing Value Of Discipline
Dis·ci·pline
the practice of training people to obey rules or a code of behavior, using punishment to correct disobedience.
Just looking at this definition of discipline, it is pretty clear that religion as a system is in many ways a form of discipline. Religion trains its followers to follow certain guidelines, and there is typically some kind of punishment that comes from breaking these rules. Now, many people see these guidelines as a negative aspect of religion. Religion is often looked at as evil and controlling because of the many guidelines that tell people how they should live. This can certainly be true in many cases, but the truth is, there is another side to this narrative. What may seem controlling can actually be seen as a form of discipline, and discipline is a really good thing.
Why is discipline important for people and for the world?
Discipline is hard to build and hard to keep up with, but at the end of the day, discipline is the difference between success and failure. Not only that, but discipline is important for general fulfillment and satisfaction. Many of the most fulfilling moments in life are found in the times where it would have been easier to give up. There is nothing like the satisfaction that comes from achieving something that requires discipline and hard work.
“Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishments.”
Jim Rohn
“What is the importance of discipline in life?” from Digital Class is a fantastic article that really showcases the value of discipline in relation to development, attitude, concentration, mental health, and social peace.
An article titled “Why Discipline Is Essential To Your Character” from Elite Daily says that “discipline brings stability and structure into a person’s life. It teaches a person to be responsible and respectful. The observance of well-defined rules is the basis of society.”
As you can see, well-defined rules are of infinite importance. If there weren’t any laws, people could go around murdering people or robbing stores and there would be no consequences.
What can religion teach us about discipline?
Religion takes discipline through well-defined rules a step further. Religion creates rules for people to live by in their physical, emotional, and spiritual life that aren’t imposed by law.
An article titled “Why Religion Makes You Disciplined” from HuffPost Life says that “researcher Kevin Rounding and his colleagues are arguing that the primary purpose of religious belief is to enhance the basic cognitive process of self-control, which in turn promotes any number of valuable social behaviors.”
Even if the whole point of religion isn’t to create discipline, it is undeniable that religion does this exceptionally well. Religion gets a ton of people to follow many rules that aren’t always the most enjoyable to follow, and yet people do it, and they do it because it is centered around something they believe in.
Religion shows us that discipline doesn’t just have to come in the form of a law or rule, but it can come from something that we believe in (such as a higher power) and it can even come from inside of us. You can implement discipline into your life in order to become the person that you want to be, achieve higher goals, and do really anything that is important to you. Also, instead of viewing discipline as something we have to have in certain situations, religion presents discipline as something that can benefit us.
“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
“The person who masters himself through self-control and discipline is truly undefeatable.”
Gautama Buddha
How you can improve your self-discipline:
Like I said earlier, discipline is hard and not always the most fun. In my experience, the true secret to discipline is building habits. The whole point behind habits is so your body and mind don’t have to use up more extra energy; the habit simply takes over.
An article titled “8 Powerful Ways To Cultivate Extreme Self Discipline” from Forbes details 8 super helpful ways to implicate discipline into your life, such as removing temptations, setting goals, and building habits.
As you can see, discipline is deeply important and religion teaches us that discipline is beneficial and something that we can center around our beliefs and goals. Even if you aren’t religious or don’t live by certain guidelines, discipline through guidelines can change your life. Discipline is world-changing and makes anything possible.
Written by Peyton Price - Entertainment Values
