GOD’S WAY. NO SHORTCUTS | 3.7.25
By Emily Neuhauser
Welcome back to The DiscipLined Mind!
Recently, I came across an email from Word Smarts breaking down the meaning of “cutting corners,” and it immediately sparked something in me. The concept doesn’t just apply to mental performance, it speaks directly to the heart of having a disciplined mind. The more I reflected on it, the more I realized how relevant it is to both personal growth and faith. That’s why I knew this had to be the theme for this next post.
When I hear the phrase “cut corners,” I immediately think of it as a way of “cheating the system.” We’re often tempted to take the quickest and easiest route to a desired outcome, whatever that may be. While it might seem like a smart shortcut in the moment, we don’t always realize that what we “cut” was actually essential to achieving an even better result.
No matter what we’re trying to achieve in life, it’s easy to fall victim to the temptation of cutting corners. While we might not always find shortcuts in every area, when we do take them, we fall short of the full potential of what could’ve been achieved if we’d stayed disciplined through the process.
In my first blog post, I talked about setting boundaries for your thoughts, actions, and behaviors to ensure your intentions and purpose stay intact. But cutting corners can never be part of that equation. When you set boundaries that prevent shortcuts, you create space for thoughts, actions, and behaviors that align with your true intentions and purpose—ultimately leading to that full potential outcome. Without these boundaries, we end up walking all over ourselves, convincing ourselves that taking a shortcut is the better way.
Nothing compares to the hard work you put in to fulfill your purpose. Cutting corners and seeking shortcuts don't discipline you for the bigger missions ahead. Instead, they become a default way of operating. And in the end, shortcuts don’t yield the same results as disciplined, deliberate work. The long, challenging path will always outdo the easy.
As I work to mold minds and mentor disciples through this blog, I’m reminded that there are no shortcuts to spiritual and personal transformation. When we bypass the process, we cheat ourselves of the deeper lessons and character-building moments that truly shape who we are. In my mission to mentor and guide you, I’m committed to encouraging the hard, disciplined work that leads to lasting, meaningful change—both in your mental performance and your walk with God.
We are all performers in life. No matter what we do, we are performing. The only thing that limits the work you put in is you. But is that really what you want for yourself? Perhaps your answer is yes, and you’re perfectly content with doing the bare minimum. For you, that might be enough. But if you take a step back and realize what lies on the other side of “subpar,” and then give your full effort just once, you’ll see the difference. After that, you won’t want to go back to those old ways, nor will you even consider falling short of those efforts again.
God invites us to do not only His work but also your work. We can be on this journey of following Christ, putting in the effort to do good work in His name, however, He also commands us to take care of ourselves along the way. This means putting in the work to ensure that we are right with ourselves—physically, mentally, and spiritually—in order to produce the great things He has set out for us. This balance between our inner work and our outward efforts is key to fulfilling His purpose for our lives.
Imagine taking a shortcut with your self-care. It’s unsettling to think about the damage we could do to our mind, body, and soul if we neglected this crucial area. Sure, moving your body every day is a given, but we must also tend to our minds and souls daily to ensure we’re nurturing the temple God so selflessly entrusted to us. There’s simply no room for shortcuts in our self-care routine—doing so dishonors God and ourselves, not to mention it's a disservice to our growth.
In every area of life, we have a choice: take the easy route, find the shortcut, or put in the work and sow effort, only to reap far more than we could ever imagine. The path of least resistance may seem tempting in the moment, but in the end, it falls short of the growth and fulfillment that come from discipline and consistent effort.
Rid yourself of this mindset of “cutting corners.” This may be an epiphany for you—one that has certainly hit me as I write this. I’ve fallen victim to it many times, and in hindsight, it never produced the outcome I knew was possible. In the moment, I just wanted to find the quickest route to the finish line, but the rewards of essential effort always far outweigh the instant gratification that comes with taking shortcuts.
What I can leave you with for now is this:
"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." – Galatians 6:9
Join me in a moment of prayer — covering you, your journey, and the work God is doing in your life. Wherever you are, I invite you to pause, take a breath, and receive this prayer:
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the reminder that there are no shortcuts to the transformation You desire for us. We confess that sometimes we are tempted to take the easy way out, seeking shortcuts in our growth and in our walk with You. Lord, help us to remember that true growth comes through discipline, effort, and trust in Your timing.
Grant us the strength to resist the pull of shortcuts in every area of our lives—whether it’s in our mental performance, our spiritual journey, or our self-care. Help us honor You with our whole selves, nurturing our bodies, minds, and spirits as temples of Your presence.
Give us the wisdom to embrace the hard work, knowing that it is through this work that we will be refined, strengthened, and ultimately shaped into who You have called us to be. May we always seek Your will first, trusting that as we put in the effort, You will bless it with more than we could ever imagine.
We trust You, Lord, to guide us, and we ask for Your patience and perseverance to keep us on the path of discipline, that we may reap the harvest You have promised at the proper time.
In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
Until next time, God bless, and remember, you’re always supported in your journey by me, your God-given coach.
