The Fruit of Self-Control

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. —Galatians 5:22–23

I so often feel an overwhelming burden to make sure that what I see as good comes to fruition in the lives of those I love. Repeatedly, I impose my logic with white-knuckles and slammed car doors. But as I do, I’m blurring the line of distinction between myself and God. I’m trying to play God, not surrender to Him.

Not all control is bad. There’s one type of control that is a sweet, delicious fruit of the Spirit: the fruit of self-control. But my response to situations in the past have often lacked the fruit of self-control. I was trying to rule; I wasn’t interested in being ruled by the Spirit.

In those moments when I pace with anxiety, manipulate in fear, or drive myself to perfectionism, I’m not reaching for the sweet fruit of self-control; I’m trying to control everyone but myself.

So, how can I tear out of the curse’s roots and fill my life with the sweetness of self-control— which has no regrets? Only Jesus makes a way.

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“Control vs. Surrender: A Battle of Two Fruits” (ReviveOurHearts.com/blog)

Scripture taken from The CSB