The word "discipline" sends a chill through some people. Yet it can be a treasure-key word that unlocks the gate to constructive new ideas and actions that might remain unknown without it.
I can sympathize with the chill, for I've had lots of discipline applied to me during many years as a soldier, starting at the age of seventeen. Yet the chill went out when I saw what discipline does and why it's necessary. As a soldier I saw that discipline was necessary in order to protect me and the men under my command and to defend my country. As a Christian Scientist I could see that discipline teaches one to obey Christ, Truth, in thought and in deed. To the undisciplined individual, difficulties that present themselves may seem like punishment for disobedience. Actually, while sometimes unpleasant and often burdensome to the one making a mistake or to one not yet appreciating the object of the discipline required, these trials may help the undisciplined to distinguish between right and wrong and choose the better course.
If discipline is seen as a key to a much desired skill—or to greater spiritual understanding—the word takes on a friendly warmth instead of a chill. No doubt the disciples of Christ Jesus sometimes found it difficult to understand his teaching and put it into practice, but the good was so important that they undertook the discipline of their discipleship willingly.
