Those pressing on toward their New Year’s Resolution goals likely have a good understanding about self-control. It’s something so many of us struggle with. It’s the inner battle between our flesh nature and our spirit nature.
What inspired me to write is my deep craving for something sweet to eat right now! I am well aware that I need to drop more than a few pounds and I know too my body does not need more food in it—especially sweets! I know that I’m not going to starve if I sit here and resist the temptation to give in. I also know that if I were to give in, I might feel good for the moment, but shortly after feel guilty.
Why is self-control so difficult sometimes? There are many areas people struggle with when it comes to self-control. It’s so interesting to me that we can take a logical concept regarding consequences for certain behaviors and throw it out the window to feel good for a brief moment. I think so many of us are weak because of our lack of practice in self-control. I see self-control like a muscle that needs to be worked to keep us strong. When we don’t work at it, not only are we more likely to give in to unhealthy temptations, but cause more trouble for ourselves the deeper we sink as a result.
Probably the best things I can suggest to help others regain self-control are:
1. Praying and asking God to help
2. Find something else to involve yourself in
Sometimes when praying God brings something to mind that is productive and healthy for me. Sometimes, my desire to act on whatever I was struggling with completely goes away too.
Some things you can involve yourself in to help you regain self-control are:
- Recognize where the temptation comes from and combat it with study in the Bible
- Call up a friend and chat
- Exercise
- Clean the house
- Do something nice for someone else
Proverbs 25:28 “Whoever has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down, without walls.”
1 Corinthians 9:27 “But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.”
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.”
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Scripture references were quoted from the NKJV.