Self-Control
"You can do this by adding...self-control." 2 Peter 1:5-6 CEV
Ever notice how we tend to blame our circumstances for our character deficiencies? We attribute our problems to poor upbringing, financial difficulties, or other people's shortcomings. Your circumstances may be beyond your control--but your character isn't. You can no more blame your character flaws on circumstances than you can blame a mirror for how you look. Integrity is always a choice, and every time you make a character-based decision, you take a step forward in your spiritual growth. Think about the times you have faced temptation and adversity. Jot them down, and beside each one, note your choice: to escape, excuse, capitulate, avoid, persevere, or overcome. What problem areas can you identify? How can you do better? If the things you listed were due to circumstances beyond your control, then choose to take greater control of your life. How? "By adding...self-control" to your arsenal. Our lives resemble icebergs, in that 15 percent is visible; that's our reputation. The rest, our character, is hidden below the surface. Character is what we think but don't necessarily share. It's based on what we do when nobody's looking, how we handle life's little aggravations, how we handle failure--and success. At the end of a brilliant career, Joshua challenged Israel with these words: "Choose for yourselves this day who you will serve...as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord" (Joshua 24:15 NIV). Character is based on self-control, and self-control is about making the right choices. And the good news is, you don't have to do it alone: "God is working in you to make you willing and able to obey him" (Philippians 2:13 CEV).
This message taken from: Daily Devotional - The Word For You Today
Ever notice how we tend to blame our circumstances for our character deficiencies? We attribute our problems to poor upbringing, financial difficulties, or other people's shortcomings. Your circumstances may be beyond your control--but your character isn't. You can no more blame your character flaws on circumstances than you can blame a mirror for how you look. Integrity is always a choice, and every time you make a character-based decision, you take a step forward in your spiritual growth. Think about the times you have faced temptation and adversity. Jot them down, and beside each one, note your choice: to escape, excuse, capitulate, avoid, persevere, or overcome. What problem areas can you identify? How can you do better? If the things you listed were due to circumstances beyond your control, then choose to take greater control of your life. How? "By adding...self-control" to your arsenal. Our lives resemble icebergs, in that 15 percent is visible; that's our reputation. The rest, our character, is hidden below the surface. Character is what we think but don't necessarily share. It's based on what we do when nobody's looking, how we handle life's little aggravations, how we handle failure--and success. At the end of a brilliant career, Joshua challenged Israel with these words: "Choose for yourselves this day who you will serve...as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord" (Joshua 24:15 NIV). Character is based on self-control, and self-control is about making the right choices. And the good news is, you don't have to do it alone: "God is working in you to make you willing and able to obey him" (Philippians 2:13 CEV).
This message taken from: Daily Devotional - The Word For You Today
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February
Practice Saying No To YourselfThe Best Is Yet To ComeThe Grandfather's Mistake Became The Grandson's MiracleHow To Conquer The Fear Of FailingLet's Respect Our DifferencesPass It On To OthersThrow It DownYou Are Called To Be Salt And LightExpect To "Wrestle"Use Your Gifts In Ministry To OthersKeep Trusting GodFear Is The Enemy Of GrowthChange Your RoutineYou Are Not Beyond God's ReachDon't Look At Christians, Look At ChristHave A God PerspectiveGod Uses Damaged PeopleUnderstanding The Word "Imputed"Governed By Christ's Love For UsToday Expect God's FavorGrowth Is About EnlargementKeep Praying And BelievingRefuse To Wear The LabelShake It Off, And Move ForwardWhen Others "Don't Get It"Righteousness Is A Gift, Not A Reward
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