Titus 2: 1-6
Did you know the serving size for Oreos is two cookies?
I don’t know what it is about those little coin-shaped confections, but I absolutely adore them. They are the perfect combination of crunchy and creamy. When paired with a tall glass of whole milk, Oreos are absolutely out of this world. Unfortunately, Oreos are extremely bad for you. They are full of saturated fat, processed sugar, and unpronounceable ingredients. You’re only supposed to eat two, but I used to have a hard time controlling myself around those perfect cookies. I could easily lose track of my snack and finish off a whole row of Oreos in one sitting. For that reason, I keep them out of my house.
Self-control is at the center of success. If you want thriving friendships, you need self- control. If you want better health, you need self-control. If you want a closer relationship with God, you need self-control. We know it’s important, but it’s also difficult.
There are areas in your life that inevitably need more self-control. It could be gossip, anger, unhealthy relationship practices, negative thought patterns, or lack of quiet time with God. Self-control is about prioritizing present practices that lead to future outcomes.
You will never conquer self-control on your own. Sure, you can do it short term, but long-lasting, life-changing transformation comes from God. It requires divine intervention. Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit. That means that we can cultivate it, but we cannot create it on our own (Galatians 5:22-23). When you grow in your spiritual health, you grow in your self-control.
Do you want to be healthier? Make healthy choices every day.
Do you want to have a better understanding of God’s will for your life? Be in His word every day.
Do you want to feel closer to God? Pray every day.
Do you want to succeed in any area of your life? Have the self-control to make small decisions that create drastic outcomes.
Your present disciplines develop your future destination. Day by day the discipline will develop.
Reflection: What daily discipline do you need to reach your desired outcome?