Control

I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
(1 Corinthians 9:26-27)

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23)

Forgive me for taking so long to write this post. Since moving back to the States from Korea in October to getting moved in on post here in Ft. Leonard Wood, MO, I have learned the importance of control (self-discipline). I gained 20 lbs from the end of October to the beginning of December 2012 because of my lack of control.

It is my belief that everyone has their own personal strengths and weaknesses. While one person can sing well, another person may be great with numbers and so on and so forth. I don’t know if a person can have self-discipline as a gift or talent, but control is necessary for everyone. If there is one thing I have learned in my time on this earth is that balance is a must. Our bodies perform better when we have a balanced meal with daily exercise and water which helps to keep our bodies pH balanced. Our hair needs to be pH balanced and our hair responds positively when our bodies are healthy and balanced too.

I digress, this post is about my obedience to God in truth and spirit. If I say I am a Christian, I must be a Christian 100%. I’m not perfect but whatever He points out to me that needs working on, I need to pay attention. I’ve struggled with my weight for as long as I can remember. I have felt in one way or another during my journey in this life people judge me. Like smoking, being overweight or obese is considered a weakness. The question is why can’t you take control of your life and just back away from the table? Right?! Well, God wisely told me that He will do His part if I do mine. I cannot expect to be a size 8 eating cinnamon rolls and fries all day and night and then have the nerve not to even exercise.

Paul said that he brings his body under subjection meaning he is in control of his body and not the other way around. One of the fruits of the spirit is temperance or in other words self-control. It takes self-control to fast which in turn strengthens the spirit. So, it is my belief that learning to be more consistent in my life as well as controlling my flesh will in turn help to strengthen my spirit man to hear from God more clearly which will in turn help me to obey Him more quickly. Being able to control my flesh will allow me to walk by faith and not by sight with more determination and resolve to not be distracted, not be deterred from this choice I’ve made to follow Him, to serve Him, to love Him.
Since I’ve been monitoring my diet, pushing back from the table, and exercising my clothes fit a little better, I feel great, my body is responding with less aches and pain and I have more energy to do all the things I want to do and more. Self-control is not just about what I put in my body, but also what comes out including the words I speak. I am excited to exercise self-control in all aspects of my life.

Are you in control ... with the help of the Holy Spirit and by the grace of God? If not, you can be because if I can do it, so can you. Email if you want to know more about God our Father, Jesus Christ our Savior, and the Holy Spirit.