Self Control: Second installment

After receiving comments that the previous blog namely “The relapse” left a lot to think about, I have been led to make a Blog Trilogy on Self control.

A stripped down approach to Self Control

What is self control? Well, in my own words, self control is the ability to not be extreme in anything you do or expose yourself to.

The Bible has many passages where it touches on how too much of something really isn’t good for you. Let’s zone into the verse below:

Do you like honey? Don't eat too much or it will make you sick! Proverbs 25:16 NLT

We are so guilty of over indulging on our favorite foods because why not! The Bible puts it in such a relatable manner that we shouldn’t eat too much of that food because we will vomit; simple cause and effect ladies and gentlemen.

Now lets change the subject but maintain the gist of the verse.

“Do not overthink, you’ll get sad”; “Do not over work yourself, you’ll burn out”. Well its safe to say that doing too much of something whether good or bad will have a negative effect.

In 2 Timothy 1:7, the Bible tells us that; for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self control (ESV). Other Bible versions substitute the “self control” with “sound mind”. To that, Self Control is a mental game but mostly its a spiritual game because some of us do not have the will power to comprehend it with our humanly brains.

I remember when I got into that rut that had me experiencing suicidal thoughts, i was so sad and defeated. I wished so badly to be strong willed. I kept beating myself up and asking questions like “why i am I not mentally strong like other people”, “why am I always phased by negative situations”, “why do i allow my thoughts to wander off to the point where i get sad and/or angry”.

At the face of those questions, i hadn’t realised that in the midst of my mental shortcomings, God’s Grace would meet me right there (as it was meant to) to eliminate those extreme thoughts.

My point you ask?

Well, the key is allowing God (opening up to Him) to pour in the fruits of the spirit in you, such as the self control fruit. Some things… well actually all things can be conquered through God.

We have to make a decision to simply allow God to work in us. If you have established a relationship with God already, great you’re half way there in allowing Him. At a minimum you need only to:

• allow His teaching to live in you
• allow the counsel we receive through the Bible to live in us
• pray for the Lord to pour in these good traits/fruits in us

Not sure where you stand with the Lord?

If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9 NLT

God then simply stirs you in getting to know Him. He does this through Bible stories, people, sermons, blogs like these and many more avenues. There literally is nothing that can separate you from the love of God, so you need only to allow him to work in you and with you.

In conclusion, come back next week for the final installment of the trilogy!