"But godliness with contentment is great gain."
— 1 Timothy 6:6, KJV
Why Disciplines Still Matter: An Invitation to Godly Womanhood
The word discipline may not be one we like to hear. It sounds hard. It sounds like work. And honestly, in a world that pushes comfort, self- care, and doing whatever feels good, talking about discipline might feel old-fashioned.
But for those of us who know Jesus—we know better.
Discipline isn't about following rules or trying to be "good enough." It's about getting closer to the Lord. It's about living on purpose, not just going through the motions. And it's about becoming more like Christ—not in our own strength, but through His grace.
The Bible says: "But refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness."
— 1 Timothy 4:7, KJV
That word exercise means to train. Just like our bodies need movement to stay strong, our hearts need daily training to stay close to the Lord.
I think about this every time I drag myself out of bed to walk with Dawn three mornings a week. I know those walks help my knees hurt less, keep my hips from locking up, and give me strength I don't always feel. But there are some mornings—good grief—I do not want to go. I want to stay wrapped up in my blanket and act like movement is optional.
But I go, because I know it's good for me.
And spiritual discipline is the same way. It may not always feel easy, but the more we show up, the stronger we become in the Lord.
Let me be honest with you—some days I wake up and feel like I'm already behind before my feet hit the floor. The world is loud, my to-do list is long, and distractions are everywhere. It's easy to let my quiet time slide, to go through the day on autopilot, and tell myself, "I'll spend time with the Lord tomorrow."
But tomorrow always comes with its own trouble.
What I've learned (and am still learning) is that discipline keeps us rooted when life feels shaky. It brings peace when everything else feels busy. It's not about doing more—it's about making room for what matters most.
That's why I'm writing this series. Not because I've mastered these things, but because I'm walking through them too. I need these reminders. And I think maybe you do, too.
Over the next five weeks, I want to walk with you through some simple but powerful ways we can grow as godly women—not in the world's eyes, but in God's.
Here's what we’ll be studying together:
The Word – Learning to love and live by the Bible
Prayer – Talking to God daily and trusting Him more
Fellowship – Staying connected to other believers
Submission – Understanding God's order and why it's for our good
Worship – Living a life that points back to Him
These aren't fancy ideas or hard-to-reach goals. This is about real life. This is about real women—like you and me—who want to grow closer to Jesus and live like it matters.
You don't have to have a fancy degree. You don't have to get it right every day. You don't even have to feel strong right now.
You just have to be willing.
Because God isn't looking for perfect women—He's looking for present ones. Women who are willing to open their Bibles, even when they're tired. Women who whisper a prayer, even when they don't know what to say. Women who keep showing up—even in the quiet places.
This series is for:
The mama who's running on fumes
The widow who misses what used to be
The young woman trying to figure out her calling
The woman who's been faithful for years and could use a gentle reminder that
God still sees her.
The new believer who wants to grow but isn't sure where to start
The empty nester wondering what comes next
The woman carrying silent burdens no one else knows about
The leader who pours out constantly but rarely pauses to be filled
The quiet servant in the back row who wonders if her faithfulness matters
The woman who's walked with Jesus for decades and still wants to go deeper
And the list goes on because this series is for you.
I'll share what God is teaching me. I’ll use His Word as our guide. And I'll pray each post encourages you to keep going, keep growing, and keep holding fast to your faith.
You don't have to be perfect.
You don't have to have it all figured out.
You just need a willing heart.
Are you ready?
I'm Donna Carol - just a small-town Mississippi woman who loves the Lord, His Word, and His church. I attend Campground Baptist Church in Gulfport, Mississippi, where I'm blessed to serve in many ways—teaching Sunday School, working in children's ministry, helping with camps, and wherever else God opens a door.
I don't claim to have all the answers, but I do know this: when we stay close to His Word and walk in obedience, God meets us right where we are—and He is always faithful to do a work in us.
Let's walk this out together—one step, one Scripture, one week at a time.
Reflection
What does being a godly woman mean to you—not in the world's eyes, but in God's eyes? Where is God calling you to grow right now?
Be sure to come back next week for Week 1: The Word, where we'll look at Psalm 119 and how to fall in love with Scripture again—even if it's been a while.
