On March 16, 2014, I returned from a long trip rather exhausted but found myself unable to get a good night’s sleep. This puzzled me. How could I be so tired yet unable to sleep through the night? Although I believe it was a number of factors at the time, I acknowledged that I had a habit of drinking lots and lots of coffee. Now, don’t get me wrong, I like coffee – caffeinated or decaffeinated - but it was the cream and sugar that seemed to be most addicting. So in an attempt to sleep better, I gave up coffee. It has been over a year now and I still miss it – especially when I rise early on a chilly winter morning, but I have not had a single drop. And yes, I am sleeping much better. This small discipline actually helps me in all areas of my life. If I am lacking self-control I am vulnerable to many other problems including the way I handle money.
Proverbs 25:28 A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls. This means that you are exposed and vulnerable to the attacks of the enemy if you lack self-control. But don’t be discouraged if you suffer with this problem that is common to all of us. Listen.
Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Here’s my advice: Pick one area where you are really struggling with self-control. Just one. Now make a decision how you hope to change it. Write down your commitment and begin, take it one day at a time. Ask the Lord to give you victory by His Holy Spirit, not simply by your self-determination. I have found if you will persevere for 30 days, you will see lasting change.