The Power Of Self-Discipline
by Dan Jones, M.D.
II Timothy 1:6-7
For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline.
Paul wants Timothy to make the most of God’s gifts to him by fanning the flame of those gifts with the power of power, love, and self-discipline. That power of self-discipline is a key to being all that we can be for God and His Kingdom.
For most of us in the health professions, self-discipline is a crucial tool. Early in my life, my parents worked hard to help me develop this important habit. It started with issues like keeping my room straight. Of course, I didn’t recognize they were molding my character and instilling an important habit in my life. This continued on in my schoolwork. Homework came before play and television. It seemed such an inconvenience when I was young. But that habit of self-discipline came in so handy as I was taking organic chemistry along with advanced courses in biology and math in college. Because God did not gift me as much as some with intellect, the self-discipline instilled by my parents allowed me to be competitive for medical school admission with some smarter than me.
But now in my life, I find self-discipline a necessary tool in fanning the flame of God’s gifts in different ways. God is now working with me to use self-discipline in fanning flames at the right pace. Like many other adults, I find myself with daily temptations to waste God’s gifts through over-work. Just as too little air will smother a flame, too much wind can overwhelm and douse a small flame. That same self-discipline that allowed me to work hard to achieve God’s plan in my life must be used now to keep a proper balance in my life to be used most effectively by God.
All health professionals are tempted by overwork. The needs of others can be overwhelming. The temptation to work harder to produce more income is immense. But God can help with his power of self-discipline to fan his flames at the right pace.
Lord, thank you for your power of self-discipline. Help me use it wisely as I fan the flames of your gifts to me.
Dan Jones, M.D., MACP, FAHA, a board-certified Internist, a former medical missionary to Korea, professor of medicine at the University of Mississippi School of Medicine, Dean of the School of Medicine, and Chancellor of the University of Mississippi until 2015. Dr. Dan Jones is a member of CMDA.
Dr. Jones welcomes any comments or questions about what he has written and can be reached at - djones@umc.edu
Rounds with the Master, Spiritual Pearls from the Great Physician Devotionals are released every Monday and Thursday.
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