What is your guilty pleasure? Your vice? Your indulgence? Your treat?
Mine would be a grande, non-fat, no foam, extra hot chai tea latte from Starbucks. I don’t get them often, but when I do I savor every sip! If I somehow had a limitless supply of chai tea lattes from Starbucks, I’d have a difficult time exercising self control.
As humans in the United States, we tend to move towards either excess or scarcity. Moderation is difficult for us. Whether it is what we eat or drink, how we spend our money, or the activities in which we engage, we often have an all or nothing mindset.
This month we are talking about the fruit of the Spirit, self control. Phew, that is a hard one for me!
First of all, I actually think it should be called “Spirit control,” instead of “self control.” Why? Because I have zero control over myself without the guidance of the Holy Spirit. The only way I’m able to live a life God’s way is through the power of the Spirit. By myself, on my own…I’ve got nothing!
Second, instead of thinking about self control as us missing out on what we want, what if we thought about it simply as, “submitting to the will of God?” That cognitive re-framing was huge for me! God’s way is always the best way. When we follow God’s guidelines, we set ourselves us for a healthy life!
In what area do you need the Lord’s help for more “Spirit control?” Take a moment and pray right now for more of him and less of you!