31 Days of Prayer: Five

Self-control

Children:
"Father, help my children not be like many others around them, but let them be alert and self controlled in all they do."

Myself and Others:
"Father, help ____________ and even myself not be like many others around, but let us be alert and self-controlled in all we do.

So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled. 1 Thessalonians 5:6

Encourage the young men to be self-controlled. Titus 2:6

Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8

So much of the discipline issues around this home are birthed from a lack of self-control. Be it hitting a brother, talking back to mom and dad or just flat out being obnoxious (boys do this, yes?) all could be avoided by walking a life of self-control. This one is tough. I want to encourage my boys towards a self-controlled life through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Even the other day, Grant and I were having a discussion about his "out of control" behavior. He said, "Mom, I don't know what came over me. I know I am suppose to have self-control, but I just lost it."



Sweet boy. At least he is aware of the difference. I encouraged him to be the boss of his body and tell it what to do. Say to yourself, "I am discipline. I am of sound mind. I do not have to do what I feel. I choose what is right. I choose self-control."

I'm sure that was one of those "mom has ten eyes" moments. But it is true. He can have control over his impulsiveness. He can have control over his anger. He can have control over his sillies. The Bible says he is of sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). I want to teach him to remind himself of what the Bible says about him. And as Titus 2:6 instructs, to encourage my young man to be self-controlled.