Hello Friend,
Good Morning! Here’s hoping that your week is filled with fruit, all the goodies that God promises to those who walk in the Spirit. When I read this verse, my attention immediately goes to joy and peace. Okay Lord, “Today fill me with joy. Fill me with your peace.” Seldom, well almost never if I am being completely honest, do I pray, “Lord, fill me with self-control.”
Over the years, I have expended a great deal of energy trying to control the behavior of others. As you might guess, terms like complete and utter failure come to mind. Others have the right to make their own choices, even if I feel like they are headed down a path of destruction. It is usually on those paths that we learn life’s greatest lessons. And my suggestion of another way might just be interfering with what the Lord is trying to teach them or even how He’s trying to reach them. And those that I have tried to control really resented my interference and my words of wisdom. How hard it is to keep my mouth shut!!! Self-control! Lord, this morning I am asking for a huge helping of fruit with lots of self-control sprinkled liberally on top and throughout. When I do an inventory of my own life and choices, I can identify many areas where I need to manifest self-control. And closing my own mouth is just one of those areas that the Lord has brought to my attention recently.
So this morning I am asking you to reflect on self-control. What portion of your life could use an infusion of this delicious fruit? Have you ever stopped to consider how your life might be enriched if you tasted just a tiny bit of this delicacy? Lord, teach us to embrace all of the fruits that you so generously offer. Go ahead; enjoy a huge portion of luscious fruit. It’s good for you, Linda