Self-control Rise Up!

How amazing life would be now if I had learned and practiced a disciplined life from childhood. I see other 50 somethings that I’ve known for years and they look great! They are healthy and fit and living life to the fullest. They’ve managed their money well and have planned for the unexpected rainy days. They live in peace.

     Of course, when I was a child I didn’t realize what a positive impact being self-disciplined would have made on my every day life in the now and forever. When it came to eating, I was always one of those kids who would have failed the delayed gratification test. Remember the one where you offer a kid a cookie but if they wait for a certain amount of minutes without eating the cookie, they would have gotten two more as a reward. Not me. I want it and I want it now was pretty much how I lived.

     My generation thought it was cool to live in the moment instead of learning to live for our future. You know, eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow you may die. When really by living this way when tomorrow came, the poor choices from the day before sometimes left a forever kind of lasting effect. If not forever, certainly a really long time. There is a scripture in Proverbs that says, “Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control.”  This is so true, because without self-control, one’s mind, body and soul comes under attack in a way that mere mortals can’t defeat on their own.

     I am thankful that God designed us to where we can and are expected to renew our minds, which will also renew our bodies, relationships, finances, every aspect of our lives.  And not only that, but He shows us the way through His Word and guides us with His Holy Spirit. God is so awesome!

     Of course, with that free will thing, just knowing what choice to make isn’t enough, I will have to actually make it. Which does then, in fact, bring me full circle to the self-discipline thing. But the good news is, and this fact seemed to escape me for way too long, especially since there is that Fruit of the Spirit song, as Christians we have self-discipline, self-control within us. We just need to pray it forth and rely on it. In other words, I have self-discipline already I just need to choose to operate in it.

     Someday in my future, hopefully my near future, I am going to be awesome when I live fully by the Spirit. I will tame this flesh of mine, and most importantly, I will guard my heart and mind in Christ Jesus daily. 

     I feel better already.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” Galatians 5:22-25.