Get a Grip

Throughout my high school years, I often fell into the trap of comparing myself to others. Despite meeting many of the academic and athletic goals I had set for myself, I remained discontent when comparing myself to the achievements of others. My dissatisfaction fueled occasional behaviors that I was not proud of. Unkind words, gossip, and even malicious conduct popped up around others unannounced. As a developing disciple, I realized I needed to manage my behavior more wisely. Though some progress was made, my efforts to improve fell short. My struggle was not just with self-control, but with a misinformed mindset producing those regrettable behaviors. 

During the month of May, we are focusing on the final Fruit of the Spirit…self-control. A person with self-control embraces the preceding 8 Fruits of the Spirit and shows restraint regarding selfish desires that oppose the Spirit. Practicing each Fruit of the Spirit is found in accessing the power of God and His Spirit living inside of us. Relying on our own efforts apart from Him only leads to frustration. 

The victorious practice of self-control goes much deeper than just behaviors. Most behaviors are a result of certain emotions driving those behaviors. Most emotions are a result of certain thoughts driving those emotions. And most thoughts result from the core beliefs we hold in our hearts. The more rooted we allow our identity to be found in Christ, the more consistent and natural self-control will develop in our lives. 

The most crucial step in developing self-control is full surrender to the sovereign Lordship of Jesus Christ. This full submission terminates our enslavement to sin and makes us servants of righteousness. Our core belief in a Biblical worldview provides us with all truth and our undeserved identity in Christ. As our heart is transformed, our thinking becomes more aligned with the mind of Christ. Our resulting emotions become more coordinated with His Spirit. And then a miracle happens! Our words and actions are entirely under God’s control, and His full Fruit of the Spirit becomes a testimony to the world. 

As a teenager, my shaky foundation of understanding God’s design sometimes made me feel out of control. But now, my practice of self-control and surrender to God’s control in my life places me more in step with God and His Spirit. May God's design for allowing His control to through the Spirit of self-control develop daily in the lives of all of our students. ​