Life Improves As I Practice Self-control
Wednesday September 18, 2019
The Bible tells us that when God's Spirit lives in us our lives will demonstrate it by 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" 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 our lives in this 21st Century is, “If it feels good, do it.” God desires for us to have a rewarding and fulfilling life. Surprisingly, God tells us that in order to have that we will sometimes have to deny ourselves some 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 has to deal with weeds all through the growing season, we will need to do what is right while fighting against the temptation of immediate gratification. Sometimes we will have to wait longer than we expected and trust God’s promise to provide us with everything we need at just the right time. 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 able to 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, even though I normally “want what I want when I want it,” I pray today that You would help me walk in Your ways and allow Your Holy Spirit to mature the fruit of self-control in me. Amen
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