Today I am finding out that there is a lot to be learned about self control and from self control.

A Prayer For Today

Love, Patience, Peace and kindness.

Lord deliver me from selfishness and spiritual blindness.

Lord teach me how to bless and have self control.

I offer You all of me mind, heart, body and soul.

Make me whole and guide me today.

Help me to learn Your will and Your way.

That others may know of You and Your love.

That they may put their hope in Your help from above.

Amen.

Learning About Self Control 

Today the poor little two month old that I baby sit had a very gassy stomach. I felt so sorry for him. I tried everything that I knew to help him. So finally after many trips up and down the hall and outside; he finally fell asleep in my arms. The constant crying of a baby is hard to handle. Especially knowing that he doesn't understand that you want to make him happy, and feel better. I am very sensitive and can't stand to see anyone in pain or crying. Also I can't handle lots of loud constant noise to well. Here on campus we get a lot of that especially living near the horse area. The tractors drive me nuts and when its lawn mower day out side my house that to tries my patience. But God is my refuge and strength. He fills my heart with love and compassion. He gives me a soothing voice and kind words even when I feel like screaming! Today is a very noisy day outside and inside my house. This is also my laundry day and my major house cleaning day. Yes You guessed it, it is Monday. But no matter how tough this Monday gets God in me is greater and He will give me peace, calm, and kind words and deeds. My emotions and flesh are not in control of me. God is and He has given me power and authority to over come my emotions and flesh so I can be more like Him. Today I see this happening in me and I am glad. When I think about how God has been there for me and tried to comfort me when I am hurting I can see better how to love and comfort this baby.  I think about how God reacts when I get noisy and start running around, getting ahead of Him, and trying to do stuff on my own. When I really think about how often he has to get my attention, calm me down, and get me to just sit and listen. I Learn patience. I learn to do what is right by watching my Father in heaven. Jesus very clearly shows me the Father and His reaction to noise and pain and how to have self control. In doing so He has taught me that self control can at times be a way of showing love to others. Self control says to others, "I love you, and respect you and care about you." Because people can see and feel when you are upset. But when they hear love, peace, and calm come out your mouth any way they see self control. And if they don't take it for granted they will know it is your love, care, and respect for them that is motivating yourself control. But we all know that it is God who gives us the power and authority over ourselves to have it.

Gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires if we live in the Spirit let us also walk in the Spirit. Galatians 5:23-25, 2 Peter 1:5-11 is a must read.

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