Self-control is deceptive because it sounds as though the strength we use comes from ourselves. But does it really? Or are we pulling that strength from someone bigger than we are?
“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” (Philippians 4:13)
“Wow, that was amazing! Great job!”
“I’m so proud of you. I knew you could do it!”
“I don’t know how you do it. You’re stronger than me.”
How many of these statements have you heard before, or something similar? Getting compliments feels nice. Appreciation for a job well done or going above and beyond feels great. We all love acknowledgement.
But have you ever wanted to shake your head and say, “No, no, it wasn’t me,” in response? Not out of some sort of false modesty, but because you wanted to set the record straight.
Our strength doesn’t come from ourselves. Our self-control and drive are not exclusive to us because we have some inner well of power. We are not more than those around us.
What we are is powered by a strength that belongs to another. We are strengthened by Him who carries us through our weakness and places us safely on the other side.
Self-control and Strength are gifts from God
God is the source of our strength because on our own, we really wouldn’t get very far. We get tired. We get bored. We prefer the Snickers bar to the kale salad.
In short, if we were to only rely on our own self-control to power us through, we would fall short time and again.
It’s easy to fall under the spell of congratulations and appreciation. I get a lot of nice words from people who think it takes a secret well of strength to parent 5 young kids and homeschool them, too.
But the secret well isn’t in me. It’s the strength I get when I stop relying on myself and instead rely on God.
Before starting anything, I pray for guidance. Then I pray for strength. Because when things get hard – and let’s face it, some of God’s plans for us feel really hard – I know that my first thought is to quit. To look for the easier road. To sidle over to see what others are doing, and maybe see if I can join them because things are kind of tough on my path.
But God gives us the strength to continue on whatever path He has given us. There is nothing too hard for Him. So instead of quitting, we need to stop and ask for the strength to carry on. For the self-control to do the hard thing. One day at a time.
Self-control may come from within us. But it’s God who supplies the strength to power that self-control. Take a moment today to send up a prayer of thanks to the Heavenly Father who never lets you flounder. Who always carries you through.
Thank you, God.
Have a blessed Monday!
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