Ever said that to someone?  “Get a Grip!”  We usually use that phrase when someone is “out there” or about to lose it.   I am talking about a topic this week that is not a favorite of too many people.  It is a topic we don’t like to think about when we look in the mirror.  Or when we remember last week how we told that so-and-so where to get off or where he could go.  Or when we stood in the line at Golden Corral for the umpteenth time.  Or when we lost our battle with tobacco or alcohol or lust.  The topic?  Self-control.

The old KJV uses the word “temperance” but that is sort of a limited word in its meaning these days.  We pigeon-hole it with thinking of the “Women’s Temperance Society.”  Self-control is a so much broader word.  In I Corinthians 9:24-27 Paul talks about the athlete who goes into strict training for the purpose of winning the wreath of a winner.  That wreath was only one of leaves but with that wreath came fame, acclaim, and the life of a hero.  But to gain that wreath they entered into strict training-one that involved diet, exercise, sleep, and even sex with his wife.  In fact, history tells us the athlete laid off sweets, pastries, alcohol and sex for a year (Yikes!) leading up to the games.

I’m going to talk about self-control but I plan to close with a practical way to gain it.  There are 4 things I am going to emphasize:

You need to aim high.  “If you aim at nothing, you are sure to hit it.”  Set goals that God gives you.

Pay now, Play later.  Learn delayed gratification.  I wish I had learned this earlier in our marriage.  I was of the opinion:  See it. Get it. Now.

Decide Now. Decide ahead of time how you will act in certain situations.  Don’t wait until the moment occurs and then decide.  Most often the “heat of the moment” skews the thought process.

Party. Learn to laugh. Learn to relax.  Learn to enjoy life. Learn to let your hair down a little.  Make sure it is pleasing to God but celebrate life!

How do you feel about self-control?  Any thoughts I can share with my people Sunday morning?  I would love to hear from you. I know this is late getting out this week.  I failed to see ahead of time that I had run out of drafts with the header.  My techgeek came through for me in my panic. Thanks Ryan.  Thanks to Dan for the banner.  And thanks to you for reading my blog.