Ruling your spirit. Keeping tabs on your temper. Slowing down your reactions so you behave responsibly instead of selfishly. These are earmarks of self-control. And they are often difficult to master for those of us who missed out on the blessing, unless we understand an important principle.

The degree of self-control you have is in direct proportion to the degree of self-acceptance you have. Put another way, if you don't value yourself, you won't tend to put any "reins" on your behavior.

In Biblical Greek, the word picture for the word self-control is of a horseman "pulling in the reins" on a horse. In our lives, it's a picture of our need to "pull in the reins" on a habit.

Ask yourself today, "Are there any habits or attitudes that you need to "pull in the reins" on? Like anger? Selfishness? Envy?

If we don't see our tremendous value in Christ, our self-worth won't be very high. And carrying around low self-worth is an open invitation to bad habits and a loss of control.

Thank You, Lord, that because I'm so valuable to You, I can say "no" to those things I need to.

© Copyright 2005 Smalley Relationship Center

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