Memory Verse:
For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. 2 Timothy 1:7
The Bible tells us that self-control is a fruit of the Spirit. Paul tells us in Galatians 5:22-23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”
Each of the fruits of the Spirit is very important for us to develop in our lives. Self-control is listed as one of the fruits of the Spirit because we cannot cultivate true self-control apart from the Holy Spirit.
In this month’s memory verse, 2 Timothy 1:7 is stressing the truth that God has not given us a spirit of fear, but rather, God has given us a Spirit of power, love, and self-control.
Since God has given us the great gift and blessing of the Holy Spirit living inside of us, we can live without fear and know that God will continue to help us through every day of our lives, including helping us develop self-control. We are not alone and get to ask for His help everyday!
While we cannot control every circumstance in our lives, we can control how we respond to the circumstance or the situation. Self-control helps us respond in the correct way that honors God and brings Him glory.
Sports brings many opportunities for us to practice self-control. In the same way you practice to learn a new skill in your game, you get to practice how you respond in moments of frustration. Self-control is an area we will always need God’s help in. The next time you feel your emotions taking over your actions remember to take a moment to pause and ask God to help you see the obstacle through His eyes. This is where you begin to see challenges as a gift to grow!
Are there times in practice or games when your emotions have lead you to react in a way you wish you wouldn’t have?
Many times our emotions cause us to defend ourselves and point blame on others as a way to make ourselves feel better. When these times come remember to pause and ask God to help you see what He needs you to see.
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