In Session with Dr. Patricia Pitta

Living in and through Discipline: in a Turbulent Environment

“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” (Ephesians 6:11)

Only to be disciplined. What does that mean? When I think about discipline, I envision a person who can deal with life’s challenges in an emotionally regulated manner. Can you be depended upon, no matter what is happening? Are you a person of your word? Are you kind, considerate, and compassionate to your fellow human being? Do your actions and values align themselves with the definition of discipline with love at the core? Are you able to plan and follow through and sometimes with a price of sacrifice? Are you able to say “No” to yourself and others?

So many questions to think about. Where do you start? Yes, our world seems to be in a flux riddled with change, anger, and more violence than we are used to hearing about or subjected to. Regulating our emotions in the face of these uncertainties is difficult to say the least. Regulating your emotions can be accomplished through prayer, meditation, exercise, relaxing, and listening to music or an integration of all these activities. I like to use prayer as a first line of defense since I can then connect to the love of Jesus, the protection of the Father, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. I will share a secret with you. When I sit to write my articles for the church, I pray to the Holy Spirit for his guidance about what to write. It works!

Physical expression for the mind and body is very important in dealing with the stresses of life. You need to reduce your stress levels, so you can become disciplined in your actions. I know if you are less stressed, you can count on yourself to follow through in that which you commit to and to fulfill your word. The more you are in touch with what you value based on Christ’s teachings, which includes being considerate and compassionate in your actions as Jesus was, the more you can offer those you interact with a sense of attachment and dependability that provides a sense of safety and gentility.

Becoming more introspective, which means knowing who you are and what you value, you will be able to make informed plans with the Holy Spirit as your guide and you will be able to follow through even when the times are difficult. And, most importantly, the ability to say “No” to your lack of conviction and follow through is essential. If you can keep yourself on the path of conducting yourself in accordance with the teachings of Christ, you will be able to say “Yes” when appropriate and “No” when necessary to create a more organized, planned out life based on the teachings in the Bible. As a result, you will be able to interact with yourself and others in a more disciplined manner.

To be an effective parent means to be disciplined in how you approach and teach your child so he/she can become the richest in mind, spirit, and acquire the love of learning according to the Lord’s Word. As a result, he/she will be able to navigate the challenges present in life and will face and enjoy the successes he/she will experience. You can also say it with your family.

Happy Mother’s Day to all the Mothers, Grandmothers, and those who Mother in many ways.

Dear Lord, you provide me with armor every day as I pray to you for the protection of the Holy Spirit as I navigate the known and unknown. Give me the strength to I approach my life and those I touch with loving discipline so I may live according to your Word in kindness and compassion and may be strengthened to deal with the ups and downs of life in protection of the Lord.

Dr. Pitta (drpatriciapitta.com) is a Clinical and Board-Certified Couple and Family Psychologist practicing in Manhasset and is the chair of the Mental Health Ministry of St. Mary’s. She is a professor of psychology at St. John’s University and a graduate of the Pastoral Formation Institute of Rockville Centre. Dr. Pitta is the author of Solving Modern Family Dilemmas: An Assimilative Therapy Model published by Routledge and Integrative Couple and Family Therapy published by the American Psychological Association.