How to Build Spiritual Discipline in Your Life
Believers are called to live a life of discipline. A life that calls us to pass the many tests of
temptation that will try to sway or distract us from God and His will for our lives.Even Jesus
himself was tested and had to resist temptation while in the wilderness. Despite the temptation
that arose, Jesus remained disciplined in His purpose with us in mind.Jesus constantly lived an
uncomfortable life that required much discipline. He went from being a King to being a servant,
to being respected to being disrespected, and more.
He did all this with keeping the end goal in mind. He did all this still knowing that He would
have to die on the cross for our sins to give us a chance at everlasting life. Now imagine, if Jesus
did not choose to have the discipline to come on this Earth to do what He was called to do.
Imagine, if He chose not to die on that cross for our sins. Where would we be ?
1. Make Prayer and Fasting A Lifestyle
Are you making time to properly prepare your spirit man for what’s ahead ?Joel 2:12 states, “
That is why the Lord says, “Turn to me now, while there is time. Give me your hearts. Come
with fasting, weeping, and mourning.”
Prayer and fasting are both great ways to make room for God to cause a spiritual breakthrough in
our lives. Both prayer and fasting puts us in a position to surrender our flesh and our situation to
God. Both prayer and fasting open our spiritual eyes more and strengthen our relationship with
Christ. Be sure to make time to pray and fast so God can give you clear direction and insight
about your life.
2. Create Boundaries That Center Around Your Purpose
Self Reflection : Do you have boundaries set up that help make your purpose a priority ?
Hebrews 12:11-13 states, “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on,
however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by
it.Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. Make level paths for your feet, so that
the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.” Jesus was known for setting boundaries. Even
him taking time to fast before going forth in His purpose was a boundary that required him to
make more boundaries to resist temptation and the tests that came during his fast.
We also see this as he took many opportunities to separate himself from his disciples, to go pray
to God early in the a.m. Just like Jesus, we should have procedures and boundaries in place to
help us better operate in our purpose.
3. Study the Word of God to Help Build Discernment
Are you consistently meditating on the word of God to discern between His way vs. the world’s
way ? Joshua 1:8 states, “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall
meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it.
For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”
In the wilderness, Jesus constantly was faced with temptation but fought with his word. The
enemy even twisted scripture but Jesus was still able to discern between the truth from the lies
Satan wanted him to believe. In this same way, may we take time to study our word so we can
discern between what is of God and what is not of Him.
4. Be Apart of A Faith Based Community That Helps You Grow Spiritually
Are you around a group of believers that will support you and hold you accountable and/or are
you allowing them to hold you accountable ?James 5:16 states , “ Therefore, confess your sins
to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous
person has great power as it is working..”
It’s so important to get grounded in a church community that can help hold you accountable as
you walk with Christ. Accountability is essential to remaining disciplined spiritually.We should
not be keeping secrets from those who are in our corner. The enemy wants to keep us isolated
because it’s easier to get us off track without anyone knowing, but accountability from others
pulls us back closer to Christ.Make time to find a community that you can trust so you can
confess your struggles and receive help to help you remain disciplined .
5. Be Consistent in Order to Bear and See Fruit
Are you consistently showing up to wherever God is calling you ? In times where you have been
consistent, what fruit did you see?Galatians 6:9 states, “And let us not grow weary of doing
good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” The greatest pattern you can ever
have is consistency. Consistency helps build character. Consistency helps build dreams.
Consistency helps build God’s Kingdom on Earth. Life will come with many troubles to throw
you off spiritually but may we choose to fight the good fight and remember the beautiful
blessings that come when we remain consistent.I pray this blog has blessed and encouraged you
to build spiritual discipline in your life.
The spiritual principles of recovery are a guide to fulfillment and strength in recovery that
correspond to the original 12 steps of 12 step recovery programs like Alcoholics Anonymous
(AA),Narcotics Anonymous (NA), Gambler’s Anonymous, and so on. These principles are laid
out as a path for those looking to gain spiritual growth and personal betterment as they navigate
through addiction recovery.Addiction recovery in a 12 step recovery program requires honesty,
open-mindedness, and willingness. The recovery process, as told by groups like Alcoholics
Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous, is an ongoing way of life because addiction is a disease
that does not have a cure.
According to 12 step programs, the way to manage your addiction as a disease is to follow the
guidelines and wisdom passed down by other alcoholics and addicts who successfully maintain
their sobriety. Above all, the 12 steps of AA believe that if you emulate the determination,
consistency, and unyielding dedication of those who succeeded before you in the 12 Step Model,
you will be successful in recovery just like them.
What are the 12 Spiritual Principles?
Spiritual principles of recovery are governing principles to heal us from the inside out, teaching
us the importance of things like having patience and gratitude. People in recovery can practice
these principles with ease, as they often need to remind themselves that their purpose as addicts
and alcoholics is not just staying away from drugs and alcohol, but bettering themselves.
Using the 12 spiritual principles of recovery and following the 12 steps and guidance from other
alcoholics or addicts who have succeeded in establishing and maintaining a sober lifestyle is the
path to recovery. The 12 spiritual principles of recovery are as follows: acceptance, hope,
faith, courage, honesty, patience, humility, willingness, brotherly love, integrity, self-discipline,
and service.
Below are the spiritual principles of recovery, listed in order with the corresponding step:
Step 1: Acceptance
The 2nd Step: Hope
The 3rd Step: Faith
Step 4: Courage
Step 5: Honesty
The 6th Step: Patience
Step 7: Humility
Step 8: Willingness
The 9th Step: Brotherly Love
Step 10: Integrity
Step 11: Self-discipline
The 12th Step: Service
As people work through the 12 Steps, they are meant to apply each principle, taking the time to
reflect on the meaning behind the practice and how it can better their life in recovery.
Additionally, 12 step support groups often participate in mantras, or prayers, that align their
goals and aspirations in sobriety and assist them in coping with the stressors of daily life.
Practicing the Spiritual Principles of the 12 Steps
Regardless of whether you subscribe to a monotheistic religion like Judaism, Christianity, or
Islam, or you take part in a non-theistic religion like Buddhism and Taoism, spirituality is a vital
part of your recovery experience. The same goes if people who fall into an agnostic or atheistic
line of thinking.
That being said, most individuals have a difficult time prioritizing their spiritual health and their
attention easily strays away from spiritual maintenance as life’s distractions preoccupy their
time. In case you are struggling with your spiritual well-being, here are 12 ways you can
practice the spiritual principles of recovery every day:
Acceptance in Recovery
Multiple times throughout the day, things may not go as planned. Practice acceptance when
you’ve just missed the bus for work, or when they run out of coffee in the office. Acceptance is
by far one of the most useful principles to practice.
Hope for Change
Hope can lend itself to you in any time of need, distress, or unhappiness. Sit down for a couple of
minutes quietly, and express your hope that things will work out how they should. If things don’t
work out, have hope that you will be okay either way.
Faith in a Higher Power
Practicing faith can look like praying, meditating, speaking to your higher power, etc. Putting
hope into a power greater than yourself is faith.
Courage to Keep Going
Be courageous by standing up for what you believe in today, whether that be setting a boundary
or telling your boss about an idea you have. Practicing courage can be scary, but it is also
rewarding.
Honesty in Relationships
Practicing honesty is pretty straightforward. Practice honesty today by not lying, covering up the
truth, without sugar-coating or leaving anything out. Did you show up to work five minutes late?
Admit it. Do you really like your friend’s outfit? Tell them the truth. Honestly, honesty is easier
the longer you practice it.
Patience for Others
Instead of honking your horn at the car in front of you; take a deep, deep breath and exhale.
Practice patience.
Humility in place of Stubbornness
Instead of arguing about how you’re right (even when you know you’re wrong), practice
humility by apologizing for your wrongs. It can feel like a defeat, but afterward, you will feel
good about yourself and how you treat others.
Willingness to Change
Practice willingness by saying yes to that after-work yoga class with your co-worker.
Oftentimes, we are quick to say that we want something— but we are unwilling to make changes
to receive that thing. Practice willingness by showing that you will do something for positive
results!
Brotherly Love for Strangers
Practicing brotherly love can be as easy as helping your neighbor carry the grocery bags. Practice
brotherly love by doing anything from holding the door for someone, to supporting someone in
need.
Integrity in Life
Integrity is honesty with a strong set of morals. Practice integrity by not compromising your
values in any situation today. Did the cashier accidentally give you $10 extra? Practice integrity
by saying something. Is your co-worker asking you to take an extra 20 minutes on your lunch
break? Say no, because you should only be making decisions that fit within your personal values.
Self-discipline as Relapse Prevention
Practice self-discipline by being a good person when no one is looking. Did you have a long day
at work, and want to cancel plans with sober support so that you can veg out on the couch for the
night? Have the discipline to do what’s right for you and your recovery despite what you feel
like doing. Do you have the opportunity to be lazy at work because your boss is gone for the
day? Practice self-discipline by doing the work despite who is there to oversee you.
Service to Give Back
Service is one of the spiritual principles of recovery that many people in recovery cite as the
principle that keeps them sober. You can practice service by talking to someone who is
struggling, helping your old neighborhood sort through their pictures, or offering advice to
someone that is having a hard time. Practicing service in AA or NA can be accomplished by
setting up the chairs for a meeting, making the coffee, or helping to clean up. You can also go
old school and do community service to show your gratitude for the town you live in. Service
opportunities are everywhere!
Finding Spiritual Growth in 12-Step Programs
There are many spiritual principles of recovery, and they all promote being someone of integrity,
among other things. These spiritual principles correspond to each of the 12 steps of AA and NA,
and programs that utilize the 12 step model ask you to practice these principles in all of your
affairs. In doing so, the spiritual principles help you not only stay away from alcohol or drugs but
to become a better person.
A large part of recovery is personal growth. Working a 12 step program of recovery can assist in
this growth! Becoming a better person starts with self-awareness. Self-awareness starts by
reminding yourself of the goals you wish to achieve and the person you want to be. So, as we
practice these spiritual principles, we transition into the best versions of ourselves as a
result.Therefore, when we follow the 12 step model and carry the messages of wellness that
have helped other alcoholics maintain their sobriety, we too will maintain our sobriety. In fact,
the last step speaks to having a spiritual awakening!
