Mar 4, 2026 – Self-control
JC – “Refuse to worry!” I could stop with that, and it should be enough, but we are human and we need more. We have excuses and conditions for our worrying. We want to understand things even if it’s just understanding why we shouldn’t worry. “In this world there will always be something enticing you to worry. That is the nature of a fallen, fractured planet: Things are not as they should be. So the temptation to be anxious is constantly with you….The best defense is continual communication with Me, richly seasoned with thanksgiving…. Together we can keep the wolves of worry at bay.”
Utmost – Chambers addresses that question of worth that I was tangling with recently. Worth isn’t the exact word I’m looking for, but it leans in the direction I’m going. This subject is something I keep picking back up after my Heavenly Father has again patiently helped me put it up on a shelf and sometimes at the curb for trash pickup. I’m surprised I’m not a pillar of salt at this point for how many times I’ve looked back. Yesterday I happened to be at the window when the trash truck was wrangling our can and I found myself wondering if there was anything in there that I didn’t mean to throw away. I’ll state the obvious – I have a problem with letting go.
I have a plethora of books about letting go and organizing and decluttering. I’m sure I’ve mentioned them before. I was going to go count them as proof, but I think the amount clutter I tolerate shows that I don’t always follow through with the good advice and directions I receive. I started listening to an Audible book this week that I’ve listened to before (but never finished!): Nobody Wants Your Sh—by Messie Condo. I apologize for the too-lightly veiled language, but I think the title and the honest truths in the book are the boot camp treatment I need to get motivated to lighten my load, which brings me back to the verse Chambers starts with today. Acts 20:24 – “But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself.”
Chambers asks, “What do I really count dear? If I have not been gripped by Jesus Christ, I will count service dear, time given to God dear, my life dear unto myself. Paul says he counted his life dear only in order that he might fulfil the ministry he had received; he refused to use his energy for any other thing.” I’ve got to lighten the burden of the “things” around me, so I am not distracted as I follow where God leads. What that actually means to me (since it may border on sounding ominous), is that I’m going to continue my efforts at paring down my belongings (everywhere – the kitchen, my books, the garage, the papers, family treasures, the grandchildren’s playroom that is filled with things from my children’s childhood, sigh…) so I don’t get distracted by a messy pile of indecision on my way to what God has asked of me; and, during this season of my life, I’m primarily thinking of this blog (and Aunt Libba’s book which I started writing yesterday). Quite a few things got handled before I actually sat down to write this morning. That’s not a sin (we do have to maintain and take care of things at times), but it did slow me down. Chambers concludes, “Never consider whether you are of use; but ever consider that you are not your own but His.”
Power – Joyce reminds us that, “As believers in Jesus Christ, God has given us a new nature, but at the same time, we also have to deal with the old nature. When we allow the old nature to rule, we will follow our feelings instead of operating in self-control. Self-control is a fruit of our new nature, [see 2 Peter 1:6] and all we need to do is develop it…. by using it, just as we develop muscles by using them…. a form of freedom. You don’t have to do what you feel like doing. You’re free to do what you know is wise.” I get it! Clean out the garage!
Prevail #63 – I love what Larson starts with, “Someone once said that when we get bumped, what’s inside spills right out of us.” She’s basing her thoughts today on 1 Samuel 17:11 when Saul and the Israelites were frightened by Goliath. “Saul may have been tall, dark, and handsome, and he may have held the title of king, but when faced with a giant, his inexperience and insecurity surfaced.” He hadn’t exercised and developed the muscles of self-control and confidence from facing, rather than running from or delegating others to handle, the challenging experiences in his life. Larson asks, “What emerged from David in the face of battle? Courage, honor, and faith. Every step you take matters, [every drawer you clean out matters] because it’s taking you somewhere. Every thought you entertain is shaping you and framing your perspective, which impacts your future choices. But you may not realize the importance of your past choices [continuing to buy and collect things] until you face a giant [the junk drawer, the stuffed closet, the garage you can’t park your car in] or find yourself in a storm.”
Max draws from Romans 15:14 – “Admonish one another” when he writes, “Admonishment is high-octane encouragement…. to deposit truth into a person’s thoughts. It might take the form of discipline, encouragement, or affirmation…. condemnation or correction…. Admonishment speaks up.” I agree. We aren’t here to gather as many friends as possible because we are the nicest person around. We are here to find Christ and then lead others to Him and sometimes that means pointing out truths when it feels uncomfortable to do so. Max asks, “Dare we sit idly by while Satan spreads his lies? By no means! Unsheathe God’s sword, the Word of God….”
Streams – And – from “selected” sources, Cowman suggests what we should do when we are the ones needing direction and correction as she starts today with Hebrews 6:12 – “Imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.” She explains, “The biblical heroes of faith call to us from the heights they have won, encouraging us that what man once did, man can do again. They remind us not only of the necessity of faith but also of the patience required for faith’s work to be perfected…. [we don’t want to miss] even one lesson of His loving discipline due to our discouragement or doubt…. When the fire in your life is the hottest, stand still, for ‘later on…it produces a harvest’ (Heb. 12:11). Then we will be able to say with Job, ‘When he has tested me, I will come forth as gold’ (Job 23:10).”
Simpson uses Acts 2:4 when the disciples were “filled with the Holy Ghost” to further make Paul’s point that we started with. He writes, “Blessed secret of spiritual purity, victory and joy, of physical life and healing, and all power for service. Filled with the Spirit there is no room for self or sin, or fret or care…. Filled with the Spirit we are always ready for service, and Satan turns away when he finds the Holy Ghost enrobing us in His garments of holy flame…. This is not only a privilege; it is a command, and He who gave it will enable us to fulfill it if we bring it to Him with an empty, honest, trusting heart, and claim our privilege in the name of Jesus and for the glory of God.”
JA – “BLESSED ARE ALL THOSE WHO WAIT FOR ME! Waiting patiently does not come easily to you, but it is nonetheless very good for you. You long to plan ahead, make definitive decisions, and make things happen. There is a time for that, but this is not the time. Now is a time for sitting in My Presence…. The very process of waiting for Me is beneficial…. You acknowledge that I am in control, and you rest in My goodness…. I bless you as you choose to trust Me with all your heart.”
Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, for in You do I trust; cause me to know the way in which I should walk, for I lift up my soul to You. – Psalm 143:8 NKJV
