TODAY's DEVOTION: Unbridled

We've all seen them. Maybe you even have one. I'm talking about the
undisciplined child. You know, the child who whines, screams, pouts
or throws a temper tantrum when she doesn't get her own way. In fact,
we've all seen adults like that!  

From the time she lost her sight and hearing at age 16 months,
Helen Keller was that way - until her teacher, Anne Sullivan found
her at age 7. Like every undisciplined child, Helen dominated her
family and had a way of controlling everyone around her, except
herself! Today I discovered that I'm that way.

God opened my eyes as I studied self-control. As I looked up
"self-discipline" and "self-control" in the dictionary and
thesaurus, and read Galatians 5:16-26 (especially in the message
translation,) it hit me like a ton of bricks: I have not been
disciplining my sinful nature, I've been letting it control me!   

If I don't restrain my emotions, they will rule over me! So, as a
Christian, I must train myself. Our sinful nature will always be at
odds with God's nature (in other words, His Holy Spirit, who He's
given to guide us in every aspect of our lives.) Who will I let
win?  

The Bible clearly tells me that when I "live God's way" (when I
listen to the direction He gives me through His Word and by the
Holy Spirit,) then I will master my addictions, and I will not
give in to my bratty nature. But when I ignore Him, I gratify
every whim I get, behaving like the uncontrolled child; you know,
the one nobody wants to be around.

So what do you need to get control over in your life? Is it an
addiction to food, like me? Or drugs or alcohol? Do you waste your
time? Do you squander your money? Do you need to implement some
good habits, like spending time with God in prayer and reading His
Word, or exercising, or cleaning your house?

If you need some help in this area, I encourage you to do a little
study on self-control. Our culture certainly won't teach us this,
in fact, it does everything possible to feed our whiny, sinful
nature. God's the One who gives us all good things.  It won't take
very long for Him to reveal some stuff to you. And He doesn't leave
us alone with our struggle, He is faithful to help us.

===> A Prayer For You Today

Father God, I lift up Annabelle and thank you for
being at work in her life today and always.  I am glad
that you know her completely and love her anyways -
just like me.   In Jesus' Name. Amen.

- Sandra