Before we speak…take a moment. Before we act…take a moment. Before we post…take a moment. That moment could help us to decide if what we are about to do or speak is beneficial. It could help us decide if what comes next is to encourage or destroy. It could help us to detect if it is selfish or not. One moment could make all the difference.
To take a moment requires self-control. It requires us to have enough control over our tongues, our actions, and our posting to check ourselves. Why are we doing or saying this? What is behind it? Is it fear or anger or hate? What is driving my need to say, do or write this? If we could have enough self-control to stop for just a moment, we might find we make better decisions. We may see we are more disciplined in our approach and our responses. We may even find we are more helpful than hurtful.
Self-control is part of the fruit of the spirit. We are given this gift which we do not always readily use. Instead, we end up trying to repair the damage or not caring if we hurt anyone. We can become cold and calloused. That does allow us to share the love of Christ. It can be difficult to exercise this gift because we have knee-jerk reactions. This is especially true when we are bombarded with things which can make us angry or upset. But exercising self-control is part of who we are as followers of Christ.
Today, maybe we work on that moment. Just focus on taking a moment before we respond and evaluate if what we are about to do, say or post is really beneficial. We may find our lives are better for that moment. We may even find we reflect Christ a bit better – the One who taught us all about self-control through his actions. Take a moment – it could really make the difference.
Focus Scripture:
Galatians 5:22-23a
22 By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control.
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SEEING THE EXTRAORDINARY 