For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭11

It’s important to consider the reasons to stop.

Why must I stop? you ask.

Perhaps you need not. Perhaps you have stumbled across these ideas on a whim and in reading them have assigned an overly parallel view to your own experiences.

The verses ring true, but surely they don’t require abstinence or effort. You’re not as far down the line as others you’ve seen.

There’s runway left, there’s money in the bank, and your friends don’t suspect a thing.

Very good!

There is no prescription here. Only experience, strength and hope. The best of which is derived from these scriptures.

Consider then, what form discipline (spiritual discipline) might take in your life today.

Could you begin spending five minutes in the Word or a piece of spiritual literature?

Could you spend thirty minutes watching something encouraging rather than the pulp you’re used to?

Could you pray?

Could you nurture a relationship with a spouse, a parent, a friend or a child?

Could you stop drinking—if only as an experiment?

Are you afraid of any of the answers?

Peace has rarely come first. It’s on the other side of experience and trial.

Tell me if you know a better way.

And I’ll offer one: the trials don’t always have to be your own.

God, open my ears that I may see.