Thursday; May 17

          Have we given much thought to the phrase self-control?  This concept is interspersed throughout the New Testament including Paul’s analogy to athletics when he wrote, “Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.” (I Corinthians 9:25).  Self-control is a pretty common phrase and one that is typically used without analysis, but what is it?  It is tempting to view self-control being demonstrated by someone who is uninfluenced by circumstances, but I am not sure that describes it fully.  Those who unimpacted by something don’t need to exercise “control”, they are immune to it’s influence.  Thus, self-control involves two phases:  (1)  understanding the impact that something has on us and (2) the ability and the commitment to control how (and how much) we allow it to influence us.  Self-control is admitting that something is tempting us to take an inappropriate emotional, spiritual or physical step, then figuring out how to stop it from happening. 
          Is there something with which we are struggling?  Let’s take the time to identify the issue and let’s develop the fortitude to stop it before it derails us.
          Think About It!

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