The Pain of Discipline

Apply yourself to discipline and listen to words of knowledge.

Proverbs 23:12

With the Butler Bulldogs down one point against the Gonzaga Bulldogs, without the ball and less than four seconds on the clock, Roosevelt Jones stole the ball, ran it down the floor and lofted a game-winning floater just a fraction of a second before the buzzer. What an amazing finish! That shot lifted Butler to a 64-63 win Saturday night in front of a sold out Hinkle Fieldhouse and a national TV audience on ESPN's College GameDay. In the postgame interview Butler coach Brad Stevens was asked what he said at halftime to energize his team. In his comments, Coach Stevens made an interesting comment about the character of his team. He drew a comparison between the “pain of discipline” and the “pain of regret”. Stevens acknowledged the pain that is involved in both discipline and regret. However one pain is better than the other. Discipline is not easy. As the Proverbs note, discipline requires a willingness to invest, listen and apply. But it is a better pain than living with the regret that comes from a lack of preparation and commitment.

Also, Coach Stevens mentioned that the outcome (the win) was not the most important lesson. I agree. I like the fact that the coach brought up the pain of regret. I would add that the pain of “losing” a game is not as great as the pain of regret. Perhaps all of us have experienced the pain of regret. Regret is a dreadful  “after the fact” experience. It is the culmination of “woulda, coulda shoulda” thinking. And it is painful. In contrast, discipline is a “before the fact” preparation. It is arduous and it is akin to swimming against the current of our selfishness, procrastination, impatience and pride. Discipline trains the heart to respond to all types of circumstances in life. So, when you’re behind on the scoreboard and the other team has possession of the ball, you resolve that you will not quit. You will play hard until the buzzer sounds. No regrets. It is the disciplined resolve that allowed the Apostle Paul to say, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”