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Self- Control- is the discipline given by the Holy Spirit that allows followers of Jesus Christ to resist the power of the flesh.
This has been a difficult fruit for me. I feel that I am so far from understanding this characteristic that I shouldn't even be teaching on the subject. As I am studying and yearning to understand this fruit I am praying this prayer --------> Will you join me? I have seen and experienced the power of prayer changing lives. I desire with my whole being to become Christ like. We have been been on a journey together for the last few months that have created a lot of change within us. My spirit is resting on who He is and who He has created me to be. I know what He sees and what I see are very different. This is always a constant struggle for me. I am pulled constantly between what the world says I need to be and the feeling deep within me that says I am His child and His plans are greater. The video below is a worship song that is led often in my home church. The words touch deep into the souls of many as we sing. The video is fun and light-hearted but the words are grounded in truth. |
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'cause I hear a voice and he calls me redeemed
when other say I'll never be enough
and greater is the one living inside of me
than he who is living in the world.
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Meet Andrea-
A wife and stay-at-home-mom to two girls and two boys, Andrea spends her days chasing down a toddler, shuttling her teenager to drama practices, and putting out preteen sibling squabbles, all while pretending she does not need another cup of coffee (she really does). Andrea is full of passion for little ones to know God's unconditional love and acceptance for them; journeying through motherhood has also opened up her heart to encouraging other moms. She understands what it is like to feel like you are the only one who loses it, who can't keep the house clean for more than five seconds, and who sets the oven on fire. Her desire is for women to find freedom and joy in God's grace on a daily basis. |
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Yesterday was my birthday. For most, your birthday is a day of celebration. I have to admit that my birthday brought a day of depression. I am not sure how it happened. I was fine the day before, but as I went to bed on the eve of my birthday I laid awake for hours thinking about my 42 years on this earth. I thought about the choices I have made in my past and the choices that I am making today.
Did you know that the average adult lifespan is 84 years? Therefore, if I go by that statistic - I have lived half of my life. And that thought terrified me. So much in fact, that I knelt in prayer and cried the hardest cry that I have experienced in a really long time.
As I prayed it became very apparent as to why I was struggling. Self-control is something that I have always struggled with and as I was praying I saw this as the theme.
I love how as we have worked through each of the Fruit of the Spirit that the specific fruit comes to the fore front and it screams deal with me now! It's never easy, but it's always necessary.
As I was praying I kept thinking about how so often I choose to do what I want to do, not what I should be doing. I'm sure I am not the only one who struggles with this but why it became such a burden is when I thought about my daughters. What example am I setting for them? How does my lack of self-control affect my family?
I know that this is an area that I need to work on, so my thoughts and prayers turned from asking for forgiveness to asking for wisdom and strength in this area. He has been working on me already and showing me areas in which I can improve.
Since I have been seeking direction with my schedule it has been amazing to see time multiply. Now that I seek guidance with my time management it makes a lot more sense, than running around like a chicken without its head.
I know that my family will approve of this change, when I am running at mach 10 I am not always the friendliest person to be around. I know that this is a busy season for me, but life always has busy seasons and it's how we choose to act and live through these seasons that will allow the light of Christ's love to shine out of us.
I choose to set a good example for my daughters, which I pray will shine brightly and through the darkest of seasons that I may face.
Did you know that the average adult lifespan is 84 years? Therefore, if I go by that statistic - I have lived half of my life. And that thought terrified me. So much in fact, that I knelt in prayer and cried the hardest cry that I have experienced in a really long time.
As I prayed it became very apparent as to why I was struggling. Self-control is something that I have always struggled with and as I was praying I saw this as the theme.
I love how as we have worked through each of the Fruit of the Spirit that the specific fruit comes to the fore front and it screams deal with me now! It's never easy, but it's always necessary.
As I was praying I kept thinking about how so often I choose to do what I want to do, not what I should be doing. I'm sure I am not the only one who struggles with this but why it became such a burden is when I thought about my daughters. What example am I setting for them? How does my lack of self-control affect my family?
I know that this is an area that I need to work on, so my thoughts and prayers turned from asking for forgiveness to asking for wisdom and strength in this area. He has been working on me already and showing me areas in which I can improve.
Since I have been seeking direction with my schedule it has been amazing to see time multiply. Now that I seek guidance with my time management it makes a lot more sense, than running around like a chicken without its head.
I know that my family will approve of this change, when I am running at mach 10 I am not always the friendliest person to be around. I know that this is a busy season for me, but life always has busy seasons and it's how we choose to act and live through these seasons that will allow the light of Christ's love to shine out of us.
I choose to set a good example for my daughters, which I pray will shine brightly and through the darkest of seasons that I may face.
So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. Ephesians 5:15-17