Self Control

I tend to think of self control in a negative way; there are things I need self-control to “stay away” from. At least this is the message I picked up as a kid and teen in church culture. Self control meant denying myself, taking things out of my life that might be harmful/sinful/lustful, etc. In evangelical culture self control might be the most pious virtue of all!

What if we looked at it another way- and thought of the self control we need to add good things to our life. I need self control to increase my patience, self control to maintain healthy habits; self control to speak life to people around me. I need self control to keep my commitments when I’m tired, to add rest regularly, to get to sleep on time when there is a good show I want to watch :).

God- we invite you to show us how self control can help us add good and necessary things to our lives, to shape us to look more like you as we interact with the world around us.

-Jaime Dunham