For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7
When I was in the third grade, I was forever getting failing penmanship grades. I missed some spelling words, not because they were misspelled but because they were illegible. My grades were suffering which meant I was when I brought home the report cards. I was always in a hurry and had other things to do and having to take time to sit down and write things out was frustrating.
One day my mother gave me ten cents and told me to go to the office and buy a tablet and bring it home. I was to practice writing every night after my schoolwork. It was misery. One Saturday afternoon after chores and cartoons were over, I was stuck in the house because it was storming. Bored with toys and games I picked up the tablet and began to doodle. I wrote my name, my full name, my cat’s name, brother, and mom and dad. Slowly, at first and then a little faster, I started to form the cursive letters.
Within a few weeks, my teacher sent home a note congratulating me on my much-improved penmanship. By the year end, I had an A and a little award for best penmanship. I find even now that writing whether in a journal or a Seed, is comforting. I still like a simple No 2 pencil.
Part of practicing something is more about learning control than anything else. By doing repetitive motions your ability to control your movements steadily increases until you are in control. It is the same principle in many things. Controlling a car, your spending, thoughts, and your emotions.
Part of practicing something is more about learning control than anything else. By doing repetitive motions your ability to control your movements steadily increases until you are in control. It is the same principle in many things. Controlling a car, your spending, thoughts, and your emotions.
Self-control takes time, practice, determination, and patience. The Word tells us in 2 Timothy 1:7 that we have been given this power but only if we choose to nurture it and practice it consistently. It takes discipline. It is easier to let our emotions lead, sometimes exciting but once the situation has passed, we must deal with the aftermath.
You have been given the power of love and self-control are you using them to glorify God and show others to Christ?
Typist for Jesus
Mustard Seeds, Modern Parables 