LIFE IMPROVES AS I PRACTICE SELF-CONTROL

The Bible tells us that when God's Spirit lives within us our lives will demonstrate that by showing qualities such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  God works in us so we can choose and act in ways that please God and satisfy our souls.  One of the ways we please God is to say "yes" or "no" to self-gratification at the appropriate time. 

We live in a time and culture that could easily be labeled as self-indulgent rather than self-controlled.  One principle that appears to operate in the lives of people in this 21st century ism, “If it feels good, do it.”  God desires for each person to have a rewarding and fulfilling life. Surprisingly, God tells us that to have that, we will sometimes need to deny ourselves immediate pleasures.

So, let’s not get tired of doing what is good.  At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.  (Galatians 6:9 NLT). 

Just like the farmer who plants good seeds must deal with weeds all through the growing season, we will need to do what is right while fighting against the temptation for immediate gratification.  Sometimes we will have to wait longer than we expected and trust God’s promise to provide us with everything we need.  While times of waiting are difficult, there are rich rewards to be reaped when we sow the seeds of self-control. 

As we follow God’s guidance and allow God’s Spirit to mature the fruit of self-control in us, we will both be blessed and be a blessing to others around us.

But we belong to the day.  So let us control ourselves. Let us put the armor of faith and love on our chest. Let us put on the hope of salvation like a helmet.  (1 Thessalonians 5:8 NIRV)

Prayer: Heavenly Father, Though I normally “want what I want when I want it,” I repent of this selfishness and pray that Your Holy Spirit will mature the fruit of self-control within me.  Help me to walk in Your ways, so I may receive Your blessing and be a blessing to others. Amen