Holy, Healthy, Whole: Growing Fruits of the Spirit for Weight Loss and WellnessSample

I Love Self-Control

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV)

When you think of the spiritual fruit of self-control, what thoughts and ideas come to your mind?

I don't tend to think happy thoughts. I know self-control is good and essential, but what comes to mind is forcing myself to do things I don’t actually want to do.

I picture restriction, powering through, and white knuckling it. Ugh.

If this is your view of self-control, I urge you to reconsider.

What if, when you thought of self-control, these thoughts came to mind?

• Self-control is fun.
• I love self-control.
• I like doing hard things.

I know those thoughts might seem a bit crazy, but go with me for a minute.

I Can Do Hard Things

A couple of years ago, I had the opportunity to participate in the Canyon Climb in Syracuse, New York, with my two teenage sons. The Canyon Climb is a seventy-foot-tall ropes course. It’s three stories high and features over eighty obstacles, including rope ladders and tightropes. We were tethered in, but for most of the obstacles, there were no handholds.

I was terrified.

I knew I wouldn’t get physically hurt, but the idea of falling was still scary. When I faced the first rope ladder, a big part of me wanted to run away and quit, but I also didn’t want to give up.

Instead, I internally told myself what I say when I’m facing an obstacle,

I can do hard things.

In the past, I didn't possess this kind of courage, but years of exercising self-control in the face of tough decisions have helped build it within me.

I can do hard things.

I took a deep breath and walked step by step across the first balance beam, and soon enough, I was out there climbing through all the ropes courses with my boys. We had a blast!

Sometimes self-control doesn’t feel good at first. It’s saying no to what you want right now (cookies, cake, lying on the couch watching Netflix) and saying yes to the bigger, tougher thing that God is calling you to do.

Each time you allow the Holy Spirit to work in you, He develops your fruit of self-control. Over time, you’ll be amazed at what’s possible.

Reflection: When you think of self-control, what thoughts and images come to mind? In what ways can self-control become a positive fruit in your life?

Prayer: Lord, create the fruit of self-control in me so that I can say, “I can do hard things!” and rise to the challenge. Strengthen me to make wise choices regarding my food, eating habits, and fitness. In Jesus’ name, Amen.