Four Disciplines To Getting What You Want

I bet you're like me - you want results now, without having to put in the effort and time to make things change. We want to pray a prayer and have instant results. Kind of like microwave Christianity!

But God isn't our sugardaddy. He wants to build character in us so that once things do change we can handle the new lifestyle and be better equipped to fulfill His plan for our lives. And building character takes disciplines and time.

But what disciplines do we need to work on? It depends upon what outcome you're looking for. If a person wants to be a concert pianist, he practices the piano consistently and increases the level of his challenge as he improves.

If you don't know what you want in life, you just know you're not happy and your life needs improving, then you're in serious trouble! If you don't have a target, then you'll hit your aim every time! But the good news is that every person has a dream. Even if your dream was put on the shelf some time ago, you can take it down and begin working on it today. The dream is still there because God put it there and He is ready to help you implement it.

Let's look at how the following disciplines will help you, no matter what you are striving for.

Transform Your Thoughts (change your beliefs)

To make changes in our life it helps to understand the process of what happens between the time we think about something and when we take action. It looks like this:

Beliefs create thoughts
Thoughts create emotions
Emotions create actions
Actions create our lifestyle

Therefore, to change our thoughts requires us to identify false beliefs and replace them with God's truths. Sometimes if we aren't sure why we acted in a certain way, we can backtrack through the above process to uncover our core beliefs that caused our ultimate action.

Whenever we want to make changes in our life, fears and self-doubt begin to creep in. In order to conquer them we need to identify the specific fears (false beliefs) so we can counter them with God's truths.

This is accomplished by continually reading the Bible. When we read statements that are contrary to what we think (believe), then we have a choice to make. We choose to either believe God's truth and act according to this new belief or continue to believe the lie, which keeps us stuck in a rut. We must make the choice as soon as we realize our thoughts are focused on lies.

Speak Your Future Into Existence

This outcome of this second discipline is described very well in Proverbs 18:20-21: " A man's [moral] self shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth; and with the consequence of his words he must be satisfied [whether good or evil]. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and they who indulge in it shall eat the fruit of it [for death or life]."

God created the world and everything in it, including us, by the words He spoke. He first thought about what He wanted, then He spoke it into existence. This power isn't limited only to God. God tells us that we, too, have this power to create with our words.

Many of us spend more time talking about our past than speaking forth our future. When we talk about our future, it's important to say what we "want" not what we "don't want." We must be extremely specific on what we speak forth for our future.

Control Your Emotions

We aren't taught that it is possible to control our emotions. Therefore, we feel powerless over how we react to situations. In John 14:1 Jesus told His disciples, " Do not let your hearts be troubled (distressed, agitated)..." God won't ask us to do something that He is not capable of helping us do.

This is great news that we can reign in our out-of-control emotions. Just knowing that this is possible helps us to see things in a new light. We see new possibilities of change where we didn't think change could ever occur.

Pray Consistently

This fourth discipline keeps us connected to the source of our hope - God. We obtain success through deepening our relationship with God and others. The three disciplines above help us develop character to enable us to develop healthy, loving relationships which fulfill us.

Copyright 2005 Kathryn Williamson

Kathy Williamson teaches biblical principles to help people overcome their problems and discover God's will for their lives. Her book, teachings and ezine can be found on her website at http://www.wisdomforliving.org

More Resources

Who Wants to Work?
I feel a loss when pragmatism wins over the mystical. There is a greater magic at work when you engage with Source.
Simple Truths for Change, Healing, and a Magnificent Life!
Many people on the planet are realizing that the key to a healthier, happier and life of abundance can be distilled into simple truths. We live in a complex and cluttered world.
You Cant Have An Intelligent Conversation With Everyone
Intelligent conversation is one of life's pleasures. I love nothing better than to engage in conversation with someone who has ideas to share, different perspectives, and is interesting.
Want to Feel Rich? Shop Til You Drop...
Just about everybody gets them..
Communication Quiz: Are You a Great Communicator?
Communication, which occupies approximately 70% of our waking hours, is what many leaders find the most frustrating. The fact is most of us were never taught how to communicate in a way that produces desired results, so we continue to experience frustration, resistance, conflicts, or breakdowns.
The Take-off!
"I just can't start a conversation with women, and it's killing me. I'll see a female who I've been making good eye contact with, but I'm too shy to talk to her.
The Good Luck Recipe!
Good luck was not part of my life for many years until; I discovered a formula that has proven to be effective for me and many others.Are you ready?Okay, then here it is:1.
Get More Personal
Most folks who know me, know that when people write me I always like to write back and show how much I appreciate the message. I do stay busy, but taking the time to write back is something that's very important to me.
Use Your Vibrations of Energy to Communicate Part 2
"The speed of electromagnetic energy signals is 186,000 miles per second, while the speed of a diffusible chemical is considerably less than one centimeter per second." -Bruce LiptonAs electromagnetic spectrums of energy we have a unique energy signature.
No Ifs, Ands Or Buts
If we could choose right now, this moment, how we would live,And,Knowing, that the only way we could live the way we choose, is to be who we truly are..
My Other Life is Exciting, is Yours?
Everyone dreams of a more exciting life or a life that is different to the one they are living now.As you dream about your other life, you know the one, where you're slimmer or fatter or the one where you meet your perfect partner and live happily ever after or you have a million dollars or you pass the exam and go to the top of the class, the dreams go on and on and we all have them.
Establishing Your Charisma Presence
An integral piece of charisma is establishing a presence, so let's examine 3 ways to establish your charisma presence, that will clearly tell all around you "I'm a player and a force to be reckoned with!".Your Mother Was Right: "Stand up Straight!"; "Head up!"; "Shoulders back!"; "Chest out!"; "Don't slouch!"; are some other things you heard as a child.
How to Develop the Awesome Power of Getting Other People to Cooperate With You
Have you ever wondered what it would be like if you never had to "lock horns" with other people? Well, there are some skills that you can learn.Try this.
10 Keys to Prosperity
1. Everyday, in everyway, bless the universe in as much ways as possible.
5 Tips To Increase Your Personal Power
1. The most important one: Have at least one person in your life who is like-minded.
Enjoy the Magic of Prosperity
There is an art and a science to prosperity. The art is playing with the magic of prosperity.
The Joy Of Living In The Zone
What do people want most in the world? What is the most sought-after goal? From the moment we awaken to the moment we close our eyes at night, what is it we seek every minute of the day?We want to feel good. The primary motivation behind every action we take is the desire to feel happy.
Secrets Of Energy
Lotus dakini gathers energy.When wanting and grasping hold swayThe dakini has you in her power.
Break the Cycle
The other day I was walking out of a store and a guy who appeared to be homeless stepped up to me and asked if I could spare some change. I gave him a few dollars and struck up a conversation with him.
Appreciation Attracts Prosperity
Did you know that appreciation is one of the most powerful forces in the Universe for manifesting and attracting prosperity? According to teachers like L. Ron Hubbard (father of Dianetics), Abraham-Hicks and Drunvalo Melchizedek, appreciating yourself and your life can literally boost you to the highest vibrations.

More Attraction Information:

Related Articles

Are You Irresistibly Attractive?
If you've done any reading on the subject of marketing, you've certainly heard the term "Unique Selling Proposition" or "USP."As a reminder, your USP is what positions you in the marketplace --- are you, or what you sell, the best, the cheapest, the fastest, the easiest, the longest lasting, the most reliable, the most prestigious? Your USP is what makes you distinct from your competitors, but it's often the thing first-time business owners don't fully understand.
What Did You Want To Be When You Grew Up
When I was seven years old I wanted to be an author. Not a writer, but an author.
Your Gut Instincts & Ability to Get Along Quiz
How well do you understand how gut instincts - yours and others - influence likeability, decision making and even attention span? Want to find out? Here are nine questions. Some answers may surprise you.
I'll Believe It When I See It
I was working with this guy who wanted to live his life's purpose. He wanted to be a singer but was presently working as a mail clerk at a law firm.
How to Get Rich
Got your attention, didn't I? I figured that title would get you to sit up in your chair and take notice. How to get rich? Hmmmm, let's take a second and think about how nice and wonderful it would feel to "be rich.
What Next?
When we are faced with making a change we often feel like we don't know what to do. The kicker is that USUALLY we do know what to do - it just happens to scare us a little bit.
Social Skills Training Can Positively Impact Your Life
Millions of people become anxious and insecure when speaking in public, starting a conversation, or mingling with others in a social setting.There are a large number of individuals who are extremely successful in their professional lives, but tend to shy away from meeting new people, attending social functions, and interpersonal communication.
The Power of Desire - Part 1
What is Desire? Let us see! Webster tells us that it is:"The natural longing to possess any seeming good; eager wish to obtain or enjoy," or in its abnormal or degenerate sense:"excessive or morbid longing; lust; appetite. "Desire" is a much-abused term - the public mind has largely identified it with its abnormal or degenerate phase, just mentioned, ignoring its original and true sense.
The Competition Fallacy
So many people falsely think that if they help another, they are helping the competition. This scarcity perspective breeds greed and insecurity; ultimately, people who hold it will realize that had they not been helped at certain times, they would not have had the opportunity to be where they are today.
Quick Tips On Becoming The Best In Your Field
Want to be the best in your field?Edward W. Smith, motivational speaker, author and TV show host, who specializes in quick tips on how to move your life ahead even faster, offers the following advice.
Great Things Cannot Happen Without Change
If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got.It's critical that we realize our lives can change at any moment.
The Law of Attraction and Love
The Law of Attraction says that 'like attracts like'. It means that whatever your predominate thoughts are will show up as people and experiences in your life.
How To Master The Art of Conversation
The art of conversation is a skill shared by most successful people. Good conversation promotes an image of self-confidence, intelligence, and wittiness.
Compounding Effect of Selfishness
Five-year-old Katie asked for a coin for her to throw into a fountain at a local shopping centre. She was given one, and duly walked over to the fountain, stopped for a few seconds, and threw it into the water, and came back to us, smiling.
The Power of Perspective
You limit yourself. Yes, it is true.
The Law of Attraction - Make it Work For You
The Law of Attraction responds to whatever vibration you are sending out into the Universe. You will receive more of what you are vibrating whether it is desired or not.
The Art of Manifestation
We should strive to attain a desireless state. As long as we have desire, we lack.
A Story Of Unbelievable Persistence
Dick and Jay sat on the ground outside the shed. The rain pelted down on them.
The Art of Possibility
"Consult not your fears but your hopes and your dreams. Think not about your frustrations, but about your unfulfilledpotential.
Change The World
It is becoming clear that the way a country or society is, the kind of "psyche" it has, depends on the way people relate to each other one-to-one, at the day-to-day level of life.At this one-to-one level there are very simple "Rules" of behaving.