Good Morning Lord - We, my family and all those hunkered down last night in our basement, made it through the terrible storms. It actually was not near as bad as the one on April 19 - at least here in Carmi. I know it was a totally different story for those in Joplin, Mo. just a few days ago. Oh Lord, continue to help them find their loved ones...alive!! God, show them where to go and the perfect time to get there!! Oh Jesus, have mercy on them and restore that place like only You can!
This morning I found myself in Titus 2:4-5 "4 Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God." This is the passage that is talking to the women of the church and pleading with the older women to train the younger and some specific things the younger women should aim to do and be.
5 to be self-controlled and pure - This part of the verse really pierced my heart as i read it - that is the working of the Holy Spirit within me. My commentary said that this word for self-controlled is 'sophron' which means "to voluntarily place limitations on one's own freedom". It reminds me of the other scripture that says, "everything is permissible, but not everything is beneficial."
To subject myself to certain limitations within my own freedom is difficult! Not an easy task for someone that many times lacks self-control. I struggle with when enough is enough. I find it hard to say no to anyone. I find it hard to stop when the food is so good. I find it hard to put down Facebook. I find it hard to demand my body to exercise because it hurts. Hello, my name is Angela Leigh Hargis Gray and I struggle with self-control. PERIOD!
So while I may want to dismiss this verse and keep pressing on in a comfortable life, the Lord today is reminding me of my responsibility if not to anyone else - to myself and to the little girlies He has placed under my roof.
We said a long time ago, well really is was me, that we were going to have a media free summer. That means a whole lot of different things for us. Not a total good-bye, but if it is pretty weather the TV will not turn on until after dark. There will be no computer gaming or PS2 or stuff like that. Continued absence of Facebook - except I can not figure out why my pictures still get on there when I take one with my phone!! grrrr. oh well.
Self-control, a voluntary placement of limitations on my freedom and the household, will begin today. Oh Lord Jesus - help us!! Help me!!! I love you!
2 comments:
Glad to hear that you weathered the storm safely. We continue to remember in prayer those whose lives have been so shattered.
Hi Leigh,
I appreciate your honesty with your struggle with self-control. I think we all struggle with this, though we have different manifestations. To me, self-control begins with self-awareness, knowing the legitimate need behind the compulsive behavior. I often go to the cupboard for snack foods when I am tired. What I need is sleep, not snacks.
BTW hopped over here from Blogfrog to visit you.
Coach Theresa
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