Self-control

2 Timothy 1:7 (AMP) For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control.
Oh well, the Amplified says it a whole lot better than the Message today.
Fear is the root of many behavioural problems and fear in our lives says 'I don't know love yet.' John tells is in 1John 4:18 'perfect love casts out fear'.
If we can be aware of our motives then we will discover fear lurking. When we find this critter it is a good thing to throw him out. We can be afraid of what others may think, afraid of others knowing us and therefore not liking us, we may be afraid of rejection.
Being perfected in love requires us to stop, wait, court the one who does love us and let Him love. Only His love sets us free, only His loves satisfies deeply.
As I am set free by His love I am not afraid of what others think because hey if He is on my side who cares about the rest. (Romans 8:31)
This does not mean I don't love, on the contrary I love more, properly, because I really know love. I can now release others from filling that need, stopping that fear because it's gone. 'You makes me feel like dancing' (song- I can see the Wiggles and my grandsons dancing to this one)
His love is less emotional and more complete. I can get all worked up in my emotions and be very excited but this is not His love. I can tell because when I am emotionally charged I spew forth a verbal diatribe (fancy way of saying I talk too much). Yet when I walk in His love I am at rest, even in my emotions, my response to Him is peaceful, joyful not happy clappy. I prefer the fruit of this.
Self-control, when it rules, constrains me to wait and receive freedom. A calm and well balanced mind result. wow! what a tasty fruit. I sure do prefer it to excitement any day. Excitement reminds me of fairy floss, very sweet, tasty but very mucky and all that sugar is not good for you.
Stop, wait and cultivate good fruit. Amen!

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