Why Discipline is Essential For Personal Growth | Inktober Devotional

For the last month, Dallas and Celeste have been taking part in Inktober. Over the last month, there have been some challenges to complete the project, but here they are 31 days later, and they have! What was the secret? Discipline. Join us as Celeste reflects on why discipline is so important in all areas of their lives.

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In 2009, artist Jake Parker started a personal art challenge called Inktober. What began as a small personal goal eventually grew into an international movement that encourages artists everywhere to create daily and grow in their craft.

For several years, the Geek Devotions team has participated in the challenge. This year, however, marked the first time Celeste actually completed it, something she hadn’t managed to do in quite a while. Life had been busy, and the last few years brought plenty of challenges. But through it all, she discovered something meaningful about discipline, both artistic and spiritual.

Whether someone follows the official prompts or just draws freely, Inktober has a way of helping people practice consistency and creativity. At the end of the month, you can look back and actually see growth in your art. That same kind of consistency is what spiritual discipline looks like too.

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Discipline and Determination

Inktober isn’t simply about making art; it’s about showing up day after day. It requires sitting down with a prompt, deciding what to create, and putting effort into bringing that idea to life. It takes determination to draw daily, especially on days when inspiration doesn’t come easily.

Celeste admitted there were moments she didn’t feel like drawing at all. Sometimes a piece took longer than expected, and she’d have to finish it the next day. But she stayed committed and kept going, determined to complete the full 31 days.

That same kind of discipline and resolve also appears in spiritual life. Developing strong habits of faith, like reading Scripture, praying, fasting, or simply being still before God, requires the same determination.

As Paul wrote in 2 Timothy 2:15:

“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.”

Spiritual growth doesn’t happen by accident. It takes effort, consistency, and an intentional choice to show up each day.

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Staying Consistent When Life Gets Busy

There was a season when Celeste became so busy with work that her spiritual routine started to slip. She didn’t want to lose the habit of reading her Bible, but her normal rhythm was gone. So she reached out to a friend for help.

That friend messaged her daily, asking, “What did you read in your Bible today?” It wasn’t about guilt or pressure. It was about encouragement and accountability, helping her stay focused on what mattered.

Celeste also set a reminder on her phone to pray every day. Not because she forgot to talk to God, but because she wanted to be intentional about it. She had already prayed quickly, passing prayers, asking God to help someone in need or be with her in a difficult situation, but she wanted to make time to sit and have a real conversation with Him.

That’s the difference discipline makes. It helps turn faith into a steady, living relationship rather than a rushed list of requests.