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Why are practice sessions so important?

People get into that syndrome where they say, "I'd do this if I were in the finals." That type of person never gets to the top. Failure to prepare is preparation for failure.
We always practiced with more intensity than we had in an actual game. Coach Riley wanted us to react instinctively to game situations. The only way to do that is by practice. Practices prepared us to endure to the end, to keep our concentration, to react quickly and instinctively, and to win the game.
This runs a close parallel to spiritual training. If you haven't been in spiritual training every day, when the real situations come, you won't be ready.

What's the relationship between talent and discipline?

In professional basketball, if a player has talent and ability but doesn't have discipline, he washes out. Anyone can do some thing once, but not well. Maybe after a lot of tries, some one can do something perfectly a time or two. But to do something perfectly every time requires constant practice, and practice requires discipline.

Is discipline primarily physical?

No. Your mind has to get in shape, too. Pat Riley had hard practices, but they prepared us well. I call it "toughness with gladness." We forced our minds to control our bodies: "Legs, get out there and double-team, and don't tell me you're too tired!"
It's the same principle in the kingdom of God. You tell your body to get up and go do something right, and all of a sudden your body starts talking junk to you.
"Oh, no, I want to stay in bed."
"I don't want to go to Bible study."
"No, I don't want to confront my sins."
You have to control your mind and body to make yourself do what you know to be right, what you know to be the habits of a champion. Those who accept compromise or want to find an easy way can never perform at the highest level.

A. C. Green is a forward for the Dallas Mavericks and an NBA All-Star.

Credits: Adapted from--Saturday: with J. C. Webster, Victory (Creation House, 1994)

1999 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity. For reprint information call 630-260-6200 or e-mail mail@menofintegrity.net.
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