As a believer in Jesus, when certain stressful situations arise in your life, are you one who reacts, or do you responds? A reaction is typically an emotion-driven thing which leads a person to say and/or do things that are not good. A response, however, is the result of a spiritual process that willingly and intentionally involves reliance upon, and submission to, the indwelling Holy Spirit, Who then leads us to demonstrate godly self-control in what we say or do in dealing with the situation. As someone once said, “To gain self-control, give God control.”

Proverbs 25:28

Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control.

Galatians 5:22-23

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Titus 2:11-12

11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age.

“Self-control is…not the same as self-dependence, in which we rely on personal will power to control ourselves. Instead, self-control is a gift of the Holy Spirit, given through faith in Jesus Christ. Self-control is a strategic countermeasure to the insatiable cravings of sin.” ~ Ed Welch

The Lord bless you and keep you…

Pastor Dave