Faith Discipline that Builds Steady Spiritual Strength
In the 1600s, amidst the chaotic violence of the Thirty Years’ War, there was a soldier who was admittedly not very good at his job. He was clumsy and unsuited for the battlefield, yet this man, who would later be known as Brother Lawrence, experienced a profound internal shift that outlasted any war. It didn’t happen during a glorious victory or a moment of high adrenaline. It happened while he was simply looking at a barren tree in the dead of winter.
In that stripped-back, organic moment, he realized that life persisted beneath the frozen surface, waiting to bloom again by God’s design. This realization moved him to lay down his weapons and enter a monastery, where he authored the spiritual classic, The Practice of the Presence of God. He discovered a structural secret to the Christian life: true endurance isn’t about the grit of the soldier; it is about the roots of the tree.
We often begin new seasons—whether a new year, a new job, or a new phase of life—fueled by high-octane motivation. We draft blueprints for a better version of ourselves: we will eat better, pray more, and finally master our schedules. We look at titles like The Practice of the Presence of God and feel a surge of ambition to be constantly aware of the Creator. Yet, there is a fundamental flaw in this architectural plan. Motivation is an empty promise. It is a volatile fuel that burns hot and fast, leaving us cold when the initial excitement evaporates.
Building on the foundation of obedience we explored in The Architect of Spiritual Obedience, and the necessity of divine stillness discussed in Rest and Peace are God’s Divine Design for a Stronger Life, we must now address the framework that holds it all together. We need to move beyond fleeting feelings and construct a life of faith discipline. This post will dismantle the myth of willpower and provide you with a practical, structural approach to abiding in Christ—not as a punishment, but as a rhythm of grace.
The Collapse of Willpower and Motivation
The modern approach to self-improvement is often built on two faulty pillars: emotional motivation and “white-knuckle” discipline. We tend to view discipline through the lens of a drill sergeant—an ironclad habit that refuses to bend, regardless of the circumstances. We grit our teeth, convinced that if we just push harder, we can force spiritual growth. While grit has its place in short-term challenges, it is a poor long-term energy source for a walk with God.
The problem is twofold. First, when we use motivation as our primary fuel, we set ourselves up for inevitable failure. When the emotions fade—and they always do—we are left feeling like we have failed God. We look at the unfinished project or the missed quiet time and interpret it as a lack of spiritual worth, thinking, “I don’t have what it takes”.
Second, when we rely on sheer willpower, we misunderstand the mechanics of spiritual energy. Galatians 6:9 urges us, “Let us not become tired of doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up”. We often read this as a command to never feel fatigue, assuming that if we are tired, we are doing something wrong. However, growing tired is not an indictment of your effort; it is often a signal that you are drawing from the wrong power source. Motivation is fake energy. Faith discipline, by contrast, is rooted in a Person, not a performance.
The Architecture of Spiritual Stamina
True spiritual maturity is not just about external success; it is about an inner depth and rootedness in Christ. It is a desire for a life that is not constantly exhausted or living in a spiritual desert. This desire for significance comes straight from God’s heart, yet we often try to fulfill it with human tools.
To construct a resilient spirit, we must shift our understanding of discipline from “doing things for God” to “being with God”. Brother Lawrence did not achieve his depth by trying harder to be holy; he achieved it by finding energy in the constant presence of God. Discipline is not meant to be a punishment we inflict on ourselves to prove our devotion. When discipline is rooted in our own strength, it becomes a heavy yoke. When it is rooted in the grace of Jesus, it becomes a trellis—a structure that supports life rather than restricting it.
Rhythms of Grace Over Regimes of Grit
We must transition from regimes of grit to rhythms of grace. The classic spiritual disciplines—prayer, meditation, scripture reading—are essential, but they are often approached as items on a checklist. When we view them this way, they become drudgery. However, when these practices are positioned as methods to receive the good things the Father has already lavished on us, they take on a whole new dimension.
Faith discipline acts as the rebar in the concrete of our lives. It provides the tensile strength needed to withstand pressure. If we fuel our lives with the faith that God is always with us, the “have-to” of discipline transforms into the “want-to” of relationship. This shift allows us to move from a transaction (I do this, so God loves me) to a reaction (God loves me, so I position myself to be with Him).
Constructing the Practice of Presence
How do we build this faith discipline practically? How do we move it from high-level theology to the pavement of everyday life? Brother Lawrence’s secret was not just in the monastery prayers but in the “in-between” moments. As believers, we often have a morning routine and perhaps an evening prayer, but the hours in between are often lived independently of God. The goal is to bridge those gaps.
Tool 1: The Digital Bell Tower
In centuries past, church bells rang throughout the day to call people to pause and pray. Today, we carry that capability in our pockets. A simple, practical tool for building faith discipline is to set a recurring alarm or reminder on your phone.
This may feel mechanical or artificial at first. You might think, “Shouldn’t my thoughts turn to God naturally?” Eventually, yes. But we build the natural through the intentional. You will speak to God more when you respond to that alarm than you would if you waited for a spontaneous feeling. It is a structural intervention that trains your mind to pivot back to the Spirit, reminding you that God is present in the boardroom, the commute, and the grocery store.
Tool 2: Glimmers of the Divine
A second tool for cultivating this rhythm is the concept of “glimmers”. These are physical symbols in your environment that serve as immediate prompts to turn your attention to God. Scripture is full of these symbols: the wind, water, a dove, or even fire.
When you feel the wind on your face or see a bird in flight, take that micro-moment—just a few seconds—to turn your heart toward the Spirit. You don’t need to stop what you are doing for twenty minutes. You simply acknowledge, “Lord, You are here.” This practice invigorates your formal times of prayer because you are no longer introducing yourself to a stranger in the morning; you are picking up a conversation that has been ongoing. This is how we practice the presence of God; we utilize the physical world to reinforce our spiritual reality.
Investing in Your Foundation
As you begin to implement these rhythms, you may find that you desire a deeper structural overhaul of your spiritual life and influence. Building faith discipline is the first step toward a stronger, more resilient existence.
If you are ready to move beyond surface-level changes, the STRONGER Course is designed to help you find deep, abiding strength in the Lord. More than just personal edification, this course gives you the tools to transform your influence—empowering those around you. This growth is meant to flow from you to your employees, congregation, co-workers, and family. By investing in your own spiritual constitution, you are investing in the health of your entire organization. Note: You also get a Free Zoom session with John as part of the course. Why wait to build a better foundation? Start today.
Faith Discipline Progression
| Stage | Description | Outcome |
| Motivation | Emotional enthusiasm at the start | Short-term energy |
| Awareness | Recognition of God’s presence | Inner alignment |
| Rhythm | Daily practices with consistency | Spiritual steadiness |
| Influence | Strength flowing outward | Impact on others |
Establishing Steadiness in the Storm
When we remain faithful in these practices, motivation ceases to be our fuel and instead becomes what it was always meant to be: a glimpse of the promise. It becomes the architectural rendering of the finished building, not the hammer used to build it.
By consistently practicing faith discipline—through reminders, glimmers, and grace-based rhythms—we cultivate an internal peace and steadiness. This is an internal strength that is not swayed by the pressures of the market, the stress of relationships, or the storms of culture. It is a strength placed there by God, waiting to be accessed.
Ultimately, this consistency is the true road to freedom and joy. The strength you build is not just for you; it is designed to influence the world around you. As you step into this new season, do not rely on the burst of adrenaline. Rely on the steady, unbreakable rhythm of a life rooted in His presence.
Your better tomorrow is built on the discipline you cultivate today.
Bible References
- Galatians 6:9 (NIV) – “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
- John 1:14 (NIV) – “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
- John 7:38 (NIV) – “Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”
- Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV) – “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
- Psalm 46:10 (NIV) – “He says, ‘Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.'”
- Colossians 3:16 (NIV) – “Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.”
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