Day 15... In Control

Day 15... In Control

Bible verse:

But he walked right through the crowd and went on his way.  Luke 4:30

Today's lesson is about how important and necessary discipline is in our lives.  Some of us are very disciplined in several areas of our lives, but others find it very difficult.  The lesson says today that having that friend or accountability partner is very helpful with areas that we find most difficult.

I have recently become better disciplined in the area of my emotions.  I am more calm, and tend not to let others anger, discontent, or other emotions control me.  This has happened through maturing and the Holy Spirit.

"Growing in Christ requires us to bring every part of our lives under His Lordship and control" (Moore, p.77).  As humans this is very difficult, to give up control.  I for one like to feel like I am in control of at least something, but God is working on that too.  Here are a few areas where we must exercise discipline in our lives:

Our speech.  I really liked the explanation that Moore gave about the Hebrew people in the Bible.  The Bible says the Hebrew people believed that once spoken, words took on a life of their own.  This is so true.  How many of you remember words from someone who has long past either died or has moved on out of our lives?  I'll bet if you stop and think about it you will come up with several examples.  My most vivid recollection are the words of my Grandmother, who came to live with us when I was around 13 years old.  For some reason, she didn't like me very much, or that is how it appeared to not just me, but my parents also.  She said many things, and sometimes it was more what she didn't say that I felt so much.  It was a very difficult time in my life and there didn't seem to be anyone who could do anything about it and I was very angry for a very long time.  Her words affected how I raised my children therefore the words that had hurt and stung me also hurt and stung my children also.  Words are very powerful, so guard what you say everyday, every time you are going to open your mouth, all the time.  This is what I have learned from God, and I am so blessed by this.  He has shown me how to find the GOOD in every situation.  Now, don't get me wrong, sometimes I have to fight hard to find that good, and even harder when I am the one who wants to see the bad, but in the end I reconcile myself with Him and let Him take control.  In regard to my Grandmother, I hold no ill will for her anymore.  Many years after she passed I realized that I would not be who I am today without her, and I also realize now that God was there all the time protecting me.

Our bodies.  These vessels that we live in have a mind of their own, don't they?  They want too much food, too much rest, too much sensual pleasure.  If we let these bodies of ours take control we will for certain end up in a very bad place.  If we eat too much we don't move as much as we should, we look at our bodies and are disgusted or disappointed, with the extra weight we need to take more medicine to help us control our hearts, our diabetes, everything.  If we become too sedentary in our lives, and don't get enough exercise then we find it hard to breathe and hard to find ambition to do anything outside of what we have to do.  These bodies also crave to be touched and when it doesn't get the kind of touch that it needs it will find other ways of satisfying that desire.  But just as having a partner in Christ on our spiritual journey, we also need someone else to be accountable to here on our spiritual journey, and our physical journey.  Isn't is easier to diet and exercise with someone?  Isn't it easier to get our of bed and get ready to go for that walk when you know someone else is waiting for you to be there?  I believe it is.  "His or her watchful eyes can reinforce the quiet voice of the Holy Spirit" (Moore, p.79).

Our moods.  We all respond to different situations differently in life.  We can chose to be in a bad mood, or we can chose to be in a good mood.  A part of the maturing process for every follower of Jesus Christ is learning to control these emotional highs and lows.  With the help of the Holy Spirit we must learn to mast them so we can represent Christ in the best way possible.  Because it is through our actions that we show we are Christians.  The broader our outlook, the better our response.

Our material possessions.  Remember we talked about simplicity a few days ago?  How to loosen our grip on material things of this world.  The best question to ask yourself before you purchase that "something" is .... "Do I really need it?"  Mostly I am practical, and I talked about this a few days ago also.  However, when it comes to a few things, practicality goes flying out the window.  It is what it is and I want it!  We all have items like that, but the key is to not let even those take your control away.  Delayed gratification is huge.  Don't buy it this time, wait and see how you feel the next time.  Drink a glass of water instead of having that next soda or energy drink.  Something as occurred to me over the last few weeks when it comes to making purchases, and that is I think about what someone else needs.  I still get to buy something, but I buy something for someone else who needs it and I give it to them.  Quietly of course because I want all the glory to go to God.  Look around your house, what haven't you used in a long time that maybe someone else would really appreciate having.  If it's just gathering dust, or is shoved way in the back of a cupboard then pull it out and pass it on. 

Our care for the earth.  I don't know about you but I get really angry when I see fast food restaurant bags all over the road.  It makes me wonder how can people be so unattached to what they are doing.  I remember the commercial when I was a little girl of the crying Indian and that had an impact on me, plus my parents never through anything out the car window that was trash.  It was just something we didn't do.  Now that I am older and see the world as God's creation, I want to take care of my little piece of it.  Let's all take care of our own little corner and if we have the power to do more, then do it!  These are all ways that we can thank God for the gift of His good earth.

Today, think of what you can do to practice discipline in your life and share this with your friend or accountability partner.  With the help of the Holy Spirit and the support of your friend, you will have ample resources to master the different areas of your life.  As you do, don't be surprised when Christ meets you amid your faithful efforts and blesses and invigorates you with His love.

Remember: Remind yourself daily to live a life that is in control.

God Bless!