Discipline seems to have been a theme lately in my life. At a home church sort of group that my wife and I are a part of, it’s been a major topic the last month or two (ironically, we’ve missed the past few weeks). And it has been a key part of several recent sermons by our pastor. It’s also something I’ve thought a lot about lately in terms of money, having recently coordinated a Financial Peace University class at church, and also in my own emergent adventures with stock trading.

And, of course, my wife and I have a son on the way.

Discipline’s a hard concept because, at least from some approaches, it’s easy to overdo or misapply entirely. That is, I find myself asking, “In what situations and to what extent should my decisions be flexible?” Certainly, in some situations, they must, and in others (related to God’s commandments), they must not.

Some situations are tricky, though. Say in stock trading. I’ve decided to sell at X, but the stock is trading in an unexpected range. How long should I wait? Or should I stick with the strategy? Is that discipline or stubborness?

It’s not always easy to tell.

I want to be chiefly disciplined in my obedience to God and my relationship with him. Then there are disciplines related to my family and to my health. And then those related to my career and other financial matters (note, things like keeping a budget are disciplines related to my family). And it seems easier to judge when a discipline is appropriate higher up that ladder.

Just thoughts.