Change and Self-Control
What is control? The definition of the verb is “restraint or direction over; dominate”. The definition of the noun is “to hold in check”. The reason for both here is that the noun directly relates to yourself and the verb relates to others.
Why do I want to talk about control? Just viewing the chaos on the rise in our cities, states, communities, it is evident that some of it is not having self-control and the other is trying to control others. What else motivates violence except trying to control other people? We have yet to conclude that the very essence of chaos is lack of self-control or control. When we get real with ourselves and the sin nature of humanity, we will arrive at the place where we understand that self-control is one of the foundational elements of bringing change to our communities, cities, etc. When self-control is broad, it covers a wider spectrum.
Accepting that one person cannot change another is pivotal to changing our environment. There are so many factors that affect change, it is not possible to cover them all in one sitting. However, it is necessary to begin conversations that bring to light necessary methods to apply change. For instance, consistency is one. When you have a method that works, keep doing that. Repetition is necessary for permanent change. Knowledge and self-awareness is also necessary. Wisdom and instruction is necessary. Understanding is necessary. Forgiveness of others and self is necessary. Where do we begin? Accepting who we are in Christ, our true identity, is the beginning. When we can accept our identity in Christ, we can accept the identity of others. Loving others as we love ourselves.
Prayer is necessary for individuals to move toward change; for them and by them. Some would say how does that work when the choice belongs to the individual to change. I do not have the answer to that. I do have the word of God in how to navigate towards this goal.
2 Chronicles 7:14 – “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heave, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.:
Ezekiel 36:26 – “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.”
God is faithful. The beginning is turning to Him for help. He’s given us Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.
What are you avid about? What do you have enthusiasm for? What are you zealous for? Keen about and devoted to or dedicated to? The antonym is indifferent. Today I speak on faith. I am zealous about my faith. I am not indifferent to what pertains to eternal life. I am an avid reader of the Word and zealous for the things of God. Sunday’s message was rather sobering. The pastor spoke about the lack of care for Jesus. He died on the cross and yet the time taken to worship and praise Him is minimal. Let me do that in between this or that. Life gets in the way of our devotion to our Savior.
In the grand scheme of things, when we think of demonic activity, we picture the red devil with the pitchfork. In my absence from posting, I have been reading quite a bit and praying. I hadn’t realized that I was under such a great attack. This post is about the victory of knowing that we do have the power of God in us: the Holy Spirit and the Word of God, the sword of the spirit to combat his attacks. I am talking about our thought life and the emotions that the devil uses to a great extent to keep us from walking in that power. He knows that when we truly get a hold of using the knowledge and power together, many will be saved. The Word says that the harvest is plenty but the workers are few. Why? Because many of us are fighting our own personal battles instead of standing in the gap for others. I have to say that I did feel the prayers of those who did pray for me. It makes me more sensitive to the fact that we should be praying even more so for our brothers and sisters in Christ, as well as the unsaved. 
Today was a good day. I didn’t have to work and took the time to just relax in going about my day. I did plan to go to church but didn’t. I worked late last night and needed the rest. However, I have been listening to the spirit and understand more about living in the now than ever before. I don’t yet have a permanent address so I am not sure what church I want to start. The goal for the church I attend is a place to go fellowship, worship and hear the Word of the Lord. It’s coming.
One thing that I have accepted is that God loves my children more than I ever could. He has a plan and purpose for their lives just like He does mine. And, even when you have good information for them, they may not receive it from you because you are the parent. My adult children are individuals who have the opportunity to figure themselves out as adults just like I did. The great part about being here is the freedom that comes from knowing it is all in God’s hands. There is acceptance that I can still be a good parent by praying for them continually.
With all the information I have read about learning to love yourself, especially from the WordPress blogging community, it seems as if there is a place of resolve that I now have to let be God be God in this area and work on my own strengths. No, I don’t focus nearly as much mental energy on my weaknesses. It is part of the process of learning to love myself. Not saying I am ignoring what needs to be improved but taking a different perspective and road for my own development.
