Day 41
D. L. Moody, the great evangelist was asked, "Of all the people you come in contact with, who gives you the most trouble?" He said, "I have the most trouble with myself."
When we lack self-control, we are out of control - we will have trouble with self. In fact, many of the troubles we face are the result of the lack of it. A reckless driver can endanger and affect the lives of many. All because of one out of control person on the road.
The Greek root for the word means "to get a hold of " or "to get a grip on". It literally means to get your hands on something until you are in control of it. So, we get into trouble when we do not get a hold of self, and more trouble when trying to get a hold of others. We try to control others because of fear and insecurity. We are afraid they may fail us or hurt us.
Proverbs 25:28 states, "A man without self-control is like a city (as defenseless as a city) broken into and left without walls."
The failure to control self will weaken us and can hurt ourselves and others. In fact, we are happier when we practice self-control instead of trying to control others. If you master self-control in Christ, you can master absolutely anything with Him.
14 For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; 15 and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised. 16 From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. - 2 Corinthians 5:14-17, 21 (ESV)
"Heavenly Father, I come before You to magnify and glorify Your precious name. Let Your will to be done in me. Make me strong so that I don’t succumb to every whim and be carried away with worldly activities, but let me be disciplined and have self-control. In Jesus’ mighty name, I pray, Amen!"
Day 262 Bible Reading: Isaiah 31-33, Galatians 5:1-15, Psalm 63 and Proverbs 23:22 
