Get a Grip!

Written by cycleguy on July 2nd, 2010

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.

 

12 Comments so far ↓

  1. Self control..hmmmm…I think there should be moderation in all things. I feel like some people like to take self control to one extreme or another. Very few walk the fine line of BALANCE. So many times I was told in church to base my Christianity on Self control, discipline, hard work and it brought me into bondage…on the other side I know those who have no accountability or resposibibility..so Bill, I am going with moderation and balance…you made me think..now my brain is going to explode! ha!

  2. Jaycee (E.A) says:

    I need to aim higher than my abilities can take me, because then it’ll force me to lean on the arm of God. I just need to learn to train like an olympian (discipline a.k.a subjecting my body to what God wants me to do).

  3. cycleguy says:

    Julie: I agree that some people will make it a legalistic nightmare when you talk about self-control. I don’t plan on doing that. I am going to encourage balance and accountability and dreaming. Thanks for the input but please don’t explode!

  4. cycleguy says:

    Jaycee: Some settle for less than their best because they stop too soon and give up. It does take discipline to fulfill God’s desire for us. But as Julie has stated not a legalistic one.

  5. Pinky says:

    This is a GREAT topic and I know your people will love hearing about it. It is something we should thinking about more often. I agree that moderation seems to be the key, at least for me. I tend (OK, I AM) a perfectionist, so moderation is HARD but if I don’t try to achieve it I make myself CRAZY with the details. I am struggling right now with a personal problem and all day I have been saying to myself, “God has a plan and the plan is good”….over, and over and over!!!! Please say a little prayer for me if you get a chance. Thanks!!!! Pinky

  6. cycleguy says:

    Pinky: nothing wrong with being a perfectionist, except to those of us who aren’t. 😀 And yes, God does have a plan. Will pray for you for sure.

  7. Ivan says:

    One thing I might add (maybe under “decide now”) is to set things up so that self-control is easier. Partly that might be to avoid certain situations (don’t walk home past the cake shop). Partly, if you look after yourself in the good and ok times (eg with prayer, study, food, treats), you’ll have more strength and resources when temptation calls.

    If I don’t have a decent breakfast I am a wreck by late morning. When I am a wreck, self-control goes out the window. I don’t have time to eat properly I the mornings when everyone is scrambling to get out the door. I found a café that does cooked breakfasts near my office. So now I have a fantastic breakfast everday; I am a regular at a nice local business; and self-control does not leg it at mid-day.

    However, I am putting on weight.

    ps I like the way Jaycee puts it.

  8. cycleguy says:

    Ivan: you have found what I am going to be saying. Avoid things that trip us up. Avoid the walk past the bar or the porn shop or whatever. Eat right so we don’t gorge. And Jaycee did say it well.

  9. selahV says:

    Still working on self-control. some things are easier to control than others.

    Eating when I shouldn’t. Like when I’m bored or anxious or upset. So I must avoid being bored, anxious, or upset.

    It’s also hard to be kind when someone is being unkind and meanspirited. Controling my ire and not going crackers is most difficult at times. I’ve learned to walk away and do a lot of deep breathing. selahV

  10. cycleguy says:

    selahv: You are certainly not alone in your struggle. Like you said, some things are easier to control than others. Can certainly understand the “being kind when people are unkind struggle.” IT is always in front of me.

  11. Kim says:

    I know I’m a little late on this one, but wanted to share that if you truly turn something over to God, He will partner with you in fighting temptation.

    I quit smoking (a pack and a half a day habit) cold turkey the day I was baptised April 25, 2010. I have not had one single puff, not used one single stop smoking aid since that day.

    My stop smoking aid was and is God. When I feel tempted, I pray. Although God has been so good to me, I am only tempted very rarely.

    In this culture, this message needs to be preached long and loudly I think. Kudos to you Bill for being willing to take the flak to get a necessary message out.

  12. cycleguy says:

    Way to go Kim! That is awesome news! That too is part of self-control as much as alcohol or eating or lust. I will have one more thing to add to my list to pray for you. Keep up allowing God to give you strength and use you.