Day 18 -Relating in Self-Control

“Like a city that is broken into and without walls, so is a person who has no self-control over his spirit.”
​Proverbs 25: 28

​Meditate or Reflect
When we think about self-control, at first it sounds like a personal problem – only affecting the “self.” But in reality, a lack of self-control affects relationship. I’ll share a confession. I recently downloaded a numbers game on my phone, and in one evening I lost myself in the game for several hours. It shortened my quality of prayer time with God, and it diminished my sleep, which affected my mood, which affected how I was relating to others. I lacked self-control for a few hours, but it affected other areas of relationship in my life.  Addictions are everywhere, and some are more obvious than others. The obvious addictions: alcohol, drugs, gambling, food, sex, pornography; and the less obvious addictions: shopping, sugar, work, technology, binge-watching shows, collecting specific things (antiques, cards, figurines), exercise, and emotional outbursts (outside of a mental health diagnosis).  At the heart of most of these addictions is a desire to numb something. The cure sounds simple, but takes a lot of effort: self-control, better yet, the “self” coming under God’s control.  Anyone who has been in relationship with an addict knows, it doesn’t just affect the addict, it also affects relationships. But God in His patient waiting, invites us to relinquish our addictions, our idols, and turn to Him. Take a breath and think of relationships where you have experienced self-control, or even a lack of self-control. Reflect on the mighty control of God toward humanity. How frustrating we sinful people must be, how deserving we are of His wrath. But, for His great love and the atoning sacrifice of Jesus, God’s wrath is under His control as He patiently waits for every sinner to come home to Him.