God-Given Self-Control
We are bombarded by so many stimuli each day that it can be difficult, if not impossible, for us to process and keep up with our lives emotionally. So, most of us are carrying around a certain amount of unresolved issues. This may lead to bouts of depression, exaggerated responses or fits of anger or rage.
Some people, in effort to navigate these pressures, try to ignore their mounting and ragged emotions – hoping they will all go away. Others choose to self-medicate in unhealthy ways – trying to dull their pain and/or anxieties. Still others try to deal with things “the old fashioned way;” they try to grit it out and mightily hold everything in check by the use of sheer determination.
One resource that can help us not to be overcome by the temptations that accompany the myriad of “stuff” coming our way is the grace of the Holy Spirit. God lives in believers by the presence of the Holy Spirit. His Life in our lives produces a wonderful fruit that reflects the character of Jesus. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-3) The self-control mentioned here is more than the anger management that is popular in our culture these days. It is more than simply curbing your expressions through your own efforts and discipline (though these are important). The grace-fruit of the Spirit is an expression of the Life of God in us that curbs our sinful/fleshly impulses. It – or more accurately, He (the Holy Spirit) – gives us a desire and ability to align ourselves with God’s direction. “It is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose.” (Philippians 2:13) Self-control is more than controlling our angry outbursts. The real value of Spirit inspired self-control comes from our enjoyment of our relationship with Christ. This love relationship motivates us to put our momentary wants on hold to pursue larger, more important Kingdom realities and goals. The fruit of self-control teaches us to curtail emotional or fleshly impulses, and to plan ahead.
Would you like to practically grow in your exercise of the Spirit of self-control? Monitor your behavior patterns for a week or so, and then examine the situations where you let your emotions or impulses override your best interest. Maybe it was a certain time of day—such as when you were hungry or when fatigue set in. Maybe it involved a certain person or it repeatedly occurred in a certain room. Once you’ve identified these “hot” situations, bring them to God in prayer, plan ahead by imagining the situation and identifying the desires and feelings you’re likely to experience. Then, re-script the situation in your mind with the way you believe God would have you act. Ask for God’s Spirit of self-control to help – to make you alert and aware of His presence and Kingdom resources when the challenges come. Finally, simply walk in the life and presence of Jesus, by the power of the Holy Spirit – His fruit will transform your life.
Under His Control with you,
Pastor Tom
tgriffith@rolcboston.org
