What People with Strong Spiritual Disciplines All Have in Common
It's not their strength that makes them commmit.
Do you ever look at the lives of people who are spiritually strong with envy?
Perhaps you look at your pastor, your small group leader, or some public figure and go, “Man, I wish I could do that. I wish I could pray as long as they can. I wish I could commit to studying my Bible every day. I wish I could spend time in silence and solitude, etc., etc.”
If that’s you, let me tell you something. I have found the secret behind what every person who has strong spiritual disciplines has. Once you hear it, you realize that they are not anything special. And that it could be you too!
What does every person who has strong spiritual habits have in common?
Simple–they are simply convinced of their weakness.
Let me explain:
If you think about it, habits are merely the things we do to cover a weakness we have. They are the practices we do once we realize how pitifully weak we are as humans.
I pray to God because I know that without his strength, I’m nothing.
I read my Bible because I know that without it, I’ll lack wisdom and insight.
I commit to a faith community because I know that on my own, I’m lost and harmful.
A person who has strong habits is simply a person who has seen who they are when they are left to their devices and did something about it. Let this dispel the notion that strong people have strong spiritual habits.
In fact, it’s the opposite! It is the people who are deeply aware of their weaknesses who have the strongest habits. They are cognizant of their weakness. They are the most aware of their humanness. And the most concerned about their fallibility as humans.
If you want to have strong habits, stop creating a barrier for yourself by saying “it’s for strong people.” No, strong spiritual habits are for weak people, just like you and me.
Here’s a follow-up question to help you…
Whatever spiritual discipline you struggle with is simply a reflection of how weak you think you are. What’s a spiritual discipline you struggle with? And what’s the weakness that it’s meant to solve that you are not fully convinced of?
Let me know in the comments or by replying to this email!
You were made for greatness,
Phil