Self Control…..

We have all heard that word when dieting, trying to break a bad habit and I’m sure it’s somewhere in the Bible, right? Other than the obvious, what is self control?

Webster says:

the ability to control oneself, in particular one’s emotions and desires or the expression of them in one’s behavior, especially in difficult situations.

I’m sure we all have faced some type of struggle with self control. Do we eat that extra piece of cake? Do we buy that new outfit even though it might stretch our budget too thin?

Although someone in our house is in a bad mood, we have a choice in how we respond. We can practice good self control and walk away; or we can react in another manner which may cause major chaos.

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What about at the baseball or football game? Whether we’re playing or there as a spectator, we are provided with many situations to practice self control.

What about when you go through the Drive-thru and your order is messed up?

I am flawed. I haven’t and don’t always exhibit the best self control. Sometimes my mouth opens and something just pops out before I can stop it. Anyone else have this happen or is it just me? 😉

What about the Facebook political post that just sucks us in? Y’all, this is for real a struggle for me. So much so that several months back I installed an extension on my laptop that blocks all things political. It also blocks other things like curse words and foul language that I input into the settings. It is the best thing ever!

If the truth be told, there are so many things every day that can cause us to react negatively. However, we can also learn the art of self control. During the study this month, I am going to be in much prayer myself for many areas that I struggle in.

I need to really prioritize my time online. I homeschool and work online. So much of my time IS online. However, I can get so distracted by Facebook. My timeline, groups, pages, etc., are all so tempting. Therefore, I need to find a very good balance. I now have some help with some behind the scenes work. I need to let go of some of those tasks completely and take a step back. Don’t worry, I will still very much be a part of MY groups and pages.
Most of y’all know that 6 years ago I lost over 100 pounds. I was very active after I lost weight. We were hiking, walking as a family, practicing Tae Kwon Do, and eating healthier. Since Clay retired from the Army, I’ve begun developing an unhealthy lifestyle. This has caused about a 20 pound weight regain. I am going to work on finding moderation with foods. I do not know if I want to drop the weight completely; however, Clay says I had lost way to much weight. I also don’t want to continue to gain and end up right back where I was. The Bible tells us to have self control, so I need to find a good balance. More than anything though, I want to see our family enjoying God’s scenery while hiking, walking, and getting out there and getting active! Recently we started bike riding as a family and we are really enjoying that! In order for us to have more time outdoors, I go back to point #1. I have to be off the computer more for that.

Recommended books for this month’s Self Control Study!