Sometimes true freedom looks a whole lot like discipline, patience and self-control.

It sounds counterintuitive, but just ask any teenager who wants the freedom to spend time with her friends, borrow the car or stay out later than normal. The freedom she’s looking for will be elusive unless she shows her parents she has the discipline and self-control it takes for them to trust her. And she’ll likely need a good deal of patience in the meantime.

Financial freedom is the same way. It takes time and hard work to achieve it, but boy is it worth it.

Season of Spending

It can be hard to stay motivated this time of year. The whole country is in the middle of a spending-palooza, and you’re bombarded with billboards, emails and ads of all kinds, encouraging you to blow your money now and worry about it later.

This is just a friendly reminder to see through the hype and keep your cool in the midst of a crazy season. Let everyone else run around spending money they don’t have. You’re stronger than that, and you can stand up to the pressure as you keep your eye on the prize of financial freedom.

A No-Remorse New Year

So hang in there! When the New Year rolls around and you have no buyer’s remorse, no credit card bills and no regrets, you’ll be glad you stuck it out.

No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way. (Hebrews 12:11, NLT)