Reshaping It All

by Candace Cameron Bure with Darlene Schacht
2011

 

Having grown up watching Candace Cameron on the family sitcom, Full House, it was only natural that I be curious about her book.

Especially as I’d been told she was a Christian.

 

Basically, Reshaping It All is about self-discipline.

Physical, emotional and spiritual.

 

In all aspects of life.

 

Reading about self-discipline is always a good thing for me as there are areas in my life where I am in want.

Think Easter.

Think Easter Crème Eggs.

Enough said.

 

So, what were the take-home messages for me in this book?

 

“…hard work [is] not only a prerequisite for success but…it [is] also a prerequisite for strong character. Struggling for the things we get teaches us the all-important lesson of self-discipline while it strengthens our body and spirit.” (pg 37)

 

I often struggle with hard work.

And, hard work that needs time?

Forget it!

 

If I am being honest, I am all about instant gratification and little work.

Not that I consider myself lazy, a mom of four busy kids has no time to be lazy, but for instance: I am scheduled to run a “5 k” in a few months, and have I started training?

No!

Time is certainly a factor, but so is self-discipline. Frankly, I am not excited about the effort involved!

 

So, why don’t I practice self-discipline?
(Even if it means the "lack of" will produce a collapse at the “3 k” mark.)  

It’s easier not to - even if I know that certain undesirable (ie, collapse at the “3 k” mark) outcomes are inevitable.  

 

Pick your area: exercise, sleep, food, spending or daily devotions.

Or Easter Crème Eggs.

 

How are you with self-discipline?

 

The Bible speaks very clearly about this elusive yet desirable quality,

Proverbs 10:4, “Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth.”

 

A life of self-discipline not only produces self-respect but also respect from others.

Proverbs 25:28 says, “Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control.”

 

Self-control = self-discipline.

 

Really,
What is the big deal if a city has broken walls?

Back in the day, cities had thick walls to provide protection from enemies, humans and animals alike.

If the walls were broken, the enemy could get in to destroy the city and its people.

 

Without self-discipline, how am I like a broken city?

 

From what I can tell, self-discipline provides protection.

Protection from wrong choices, wrong thoughts, and wrong actions.

 

When the walls of self-discipline are broken or missing, I can be destroyed.

To make matters worse,

When I am not self-disciplined in the lesser areas of my life, I am probably not self-disciplined in my relationship with God.

 
And, if I am not self-disciplined in this relationship, I won’t have the means to fight.

With no walls and no weapons,

I am not protected.

Like the city,

My heart will be destroyed.

Maybe not right away, but remember the inevitable, undesirable outcomes?

Heady stuff.

 

Reading on…