Self-control

Although each spiritual fruit can be a challenge at any given moment, I think most people have at least one that they struggle with a little more consistently than the others.  For me, there is no question that my struggle is self-control.

For those who know me only slightly, that may come as a surprise.   An introvert by nature, I am usually fairly quiet, could never be accused of acting in a spontaneous or impulsive manner (just ask my daughter, Miss Impromptu, about that one!) and rarely lose my temper.  But, when you know me well, my sharp, sarcastic wit and quick mouth sometimes get the best of me, and I will slice open the heart of someone I care about with an unmindful word that I want to pull back the moment its said, which is, of course, one moment too late.  Although never intended to be hurtful, all too often the mouth engages before the brain thinks it fully through, and ugh.  Oh, the regret I have felt when I have seen the damage I can inflict so thoughtlessly.

In Proverbs 15:1-4, we read:

A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.  The tongue of the wise dispenses knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly.  The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.  A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.

In this season of Lent, when we are reflecting on the words of Jesus, I am reminded that, while he did righteously lose his temper, he did drive out demons and money changers, he did chastise and redirect those who engaged in wrong doing, he did not break the spirit or crush the soul of those with whom he was sincerely engaging.

I want to be known for being soft, not harsh; wise, not foolish; good, not evil; and gentle, not perverse.  Keeping reign on my tongue begins with the Holy Spirit.