The Holy Spirit has been dealing with me deeply in this area: discipline.

Life lately has felt like a fight. Between work stress, life stress, and pain in my body, it hasn’t been easy. We often talk about attacks from the enemy, and yes, the enemy absolutely wants to hold you back. But here’s the truth the Lord keeps highlighting: the enemy can’t do anything with a disciplined believer.

When you decide in your heart that you will pray no matter what, read your Bible even when you’re tired, exercise even when you don’t feel like it, and eat right even when it’s inconvenient or uncomfortable, you build a rhythm that the enemy can’t interrupt.

Why?

Because he doesn’t have real power. He only has suggestions.

He’ll whisper:

“You’re too tired today.”

“You don’t feel good enough to serve.”

“It’s too hot.”

“It’s just one Sunday.”

“You’ve been doing good. You deserve a break.”

And here’s where it gets dangerous. Without discipline, those little thoughts take root. That one day off becomes a week. That one missed prayer time turns into a spiritual drought. That one moment of “I’ll eat better tomorrow” becomes years of unhealthy habits. And now it’s not just about food. Now sickness has crept into your body.

The enemy doesn’t even have to do anything else after that.

He just plants the thought. Without discipline, it grows all by itself.

On yesterday, I was scheduled to serve at my church’s food pantry. It was scorching hot. Florida summer heat kind of hot. I was in pain, I was tired, and honestly, I had every reason to stay home. The thoughts started creeping in.

“You’re not in good condition for this.”

“Just skip this one.”

“Surely someone else can cover for you.”

But I made up my mind. I was going to serve God’s people.

And I did.

It was hard. It was sweaty. It was uncomfortable.

But God met me there.

Somewhere between lifting boxes and handing out food, God gave me strength. My energy came back. My spirit lifted. I didn’t just survive it. I walked away full. Not because my circumstances changed, but because God honors discipline.

And let me be clear. The discipline I’m talking about is not pushing past your God-given limits. This isn’t about grinding yourself into the ground or ignoring your body’s signals. It’s about moving past discomfort, not violating your capacity.

Because it also takes discipline to rest.

Sometimes your body will tell you when it’s time to rest. And that requires just as much discipline as getting up and going. We don’t always talk about that. But rest is holy. It’s not laziness. It’s not weakness. God Himself rested. And He commands us to do the same.

So yes, there are days you press through.

But there are also days you sit still.

Both require the same root: discipline guided by the Spirit.

Discipline is like a muscle. You don’t start out strong. You build it.

You start small. You show up. You keep showing up.

And when you do, God meets you there.

This life of surrender will cost you. It will cost your comfort, your convenience, even your preferences. But it’s worth it. Because God promised in His Word that the one planted by the rivers of living water will never run dry (Psalm 1:3).

You will be sustained.

You will be strengthened.

You will be filled.

So don’t quit.

Do it tired.

Do it afraid.

Do it in pain.

Do it when you’d rather sleep in.

And also, rest when He tells you to rest.

Discipline blocks the enemy. Obedience invites God in.

And when you move in discipline, whether that looks like showing up or sitting down. You’ll find that God is already there, waiting to carry you through.