A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without
walls.
Proverbs 25:28
Your kids have been fighting with each other all day. It’s
6:00 and you haven’t started supper then your husband calls and says he has to
work late. You are longing to buy that fabulous new outfit even though you know
you will have to charge it. While driving on I-75 someone cuts you off and
almost causes a major accident.
You really want that last piece of cake even though your doctor told you
that you need to lose 20 pounds for health reasons. These examples merely skim the surface of some of the many
areas in our lives that need our self-control.
Self-control is so important in our lives because it is
our wall of protection against the spears that Satan will try to hurl our way
to throw us off course, to take our eyes off of our purpose, which is to love
God, serve and honor Him with all that we do. Self-control allows us to live fulfilled lives, love others
and have joy and peace. 2 Peter
1:5-8 assures us that by possessing qualities such as goodness, knowledge,
self-control, perseverance, godliness and love, we will be effective and useful
in our knowledge of Jesus. Effective and useful are powerful words and an
ultimate goal of mine in serving my Lord and Savior.
How can we gain more self-control? 2
Timothy 1:7 For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and
self-control. As a believer in Christ Jesus, He has already given that to
you. Praise God, it is inside you!
You may just need to reach inside, dust it off and put it into practice.
Examine your heart and ask God to reveal any areas in your life that may be
lacking and ask for His help. Seek
professional help in cases of extreme lack of self-control. Ask a close friend
to help you stay accountable and to ask you tough questions to keep you on
track. Make sure you acknowledge
and celebrate successes, giving the glory to God.
Lord Jesus, Thank
you for giving us the Holy Spirit to live inside us that will guide us and help
us to live lives full of self control.
Thank you for your redeeming love and grace that will pick us up when we
stumble and set us back on solid ground.
Help us to live lives that glorify and honor you.
