Discipline. “An activity or experience that provides mental or physical training,” So says Sr. Merriam-Webster.

Discipline is a word I think we as a society have stopped using because we aren’t fond of what it entails. I remember growing up and parents always discussing how they want their children to practice martial arts because, “it instills discipline,” I still feel that way. It’s one of the many reasons why I became a practitioner of Silaat. Discipline takes work, it takes perseverance and heartbreak. It takes blood, sweat, and tears. It’s why the hero has to go through so much torture in order to make it out on top. We love to see the discipline in others, because we love to see the end result. We love to see that moment when everything pays off, when the tears come pouring down and we can finally stop holding our breath from the suspense, because it was all worth it in the end.

You love those movies too right? Those stories of making it despite the odds? Don’t you love to see the perseverance, & the overcoming of trials & tribulations? Well you’re a person of faith, so take note that the Prophet ﷺ said “The people will see a time of patience [a difficult time] in which someone adhering to his religion will be as if he were grasping a hot coal.” What if I told you that we might be in that time? It’s not going to get any easier. But you know what? God chose you to be the hero in this story. Do you remember all of those hardships in that movie that the hero felt like they couldn’t handle? I’m sure you’ve felt that too. I’m sure sometimes you feel it before every prayer, every fast, every time you decide modesty is the best policy (brothers, I’m looking at you), every time you have an opportunity to curse someone out that hurt you but you hold your tongue, you’ve felt that hardship haven’t you? What if all that was training for you to become the hero. Training for your heart and soul to reach a state higher than the angels themselves.

Everyday you’re being tested. Everyday the world is attacking you for your beliefs, and sometimes you falter. Sometimes you give up. But your story isn’t over, you haven’t even reached the climax yet. Remember that you’re being disciplined by the One who had Yunus swallowed by a whale, Ibrahim thrown into a fire, Aasiyah married to an oppressor, and Muhammad ﷺ casted out by his people, and how did their story end? Discipline. That’s right, your story isn’t anywhere near finished. “Okay Google, Play the Rocky Theme song.” Lets do this.

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