Power, Love, and Self-Control.

“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” (2 Timothy 1:7)

This is very good news for many of us who struggle with not only fear, but discipline issues. Self-control has never been my strong suit. I  suspect I could probably get a medical diagnosis making it official, in fact. So I am ever grateful God’s Spirit helps with that, because I am rather helpless at it in my own flesh.

On the other hand, we can start to beat ourselves up when reading this. God’s given us a spirit of power, love, and self-control, yet we often aren’t quite what this verse has in mind. That’s fruitless.  Stop beating yourself up, and be patient and forgiving as you seek more of His Spirit as work in you.  He will help. We simply need to be faithful in abiding and surrendered to Him.

Lord, we open our hearts to you today. Remove any blocks keeping us from fanning into flame the gift of God in us. We thank you for  your spirit of power, love, and self control at work in us.  Thank you, God, that you have saved us. Remind us, and let us be convinced in our hearts, that you have called us to a holy calling,  not because of our works, but because of your own purpose and grace, which you gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began. We don’t know why we suffer infirmity, but we know you are strong and able to work through us in our weakness. Grant us wisdom and hearts obedient to your will, and strengthen our minds and our hands to carry it through. In Jesus’ name we pray, Lord, amen.