Learn to exercise self control

Few things in this life offer us the confidence to face life like self-control does. To know that despite occasional mental flare-ups, heart’s tantrums, progress snarl-ups, internal turmoil and external attacks, we are in charge and can take charge without losing control, is a true blessing. Many people lose control when things get out of hand. To remain unmoved and on top of things, even in the midst of storms, is proof that we have come of age and can dependably run our lives and that of others. To conquer the world outside is an awesome achievement but to conquer self is both nobleness and graciousness – a position to be desired by all.

To control self means to withdraw our lives from the repercussions and ramifications of fate and place the responsibility of creating the desirable results and outcomes of life in the hands of personal wisdom.

When we control our words, our actions and reactions, we endear ourselves to the strength of personal ruler-ship. And when we can effectively

self-govern, the overwhelming seasons of life cease to possess the final say about our destiny. The simple truth is this, if you cannot be emotionally, intelligently and spiritually present in your life to control things, then you have no claim over the fruits of your life. If you cannot control yourself, you cannot control the outcome of your life.

Life, including its cocktail of problems and the buffet of challenges, expands or shrinks at the rate of your mind’s attitude. God gave us a mind so we can resize life’s experiences and realities into shapes and sizes that are manageable and governable by us. Nothing is too big for your

management. Whatever has come your way, has been sized to your capacity, even though it is stretching you. Our perspectives and attitudes towards what’s happening around us make life happen to us or make us happen to life. Nothing happens to us, everything happens for us. And to know this truth is to ascend the ladder of power where self-rule is concerned.

People fail because they quit too soon or are unwilling to subject self to growth and development until it can handle the pressure of formation.

Don’t change your goal just because the game got tough and don’t modify the dream because the night becomes intermittent and sporadic.

Don’t doubt God even if it is the last minute of the last hour of the last day of the deadline of His promise.

Things don’t happen in your time, they happen in their time. To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. Delay doesn’t equal denial and the weight of waiting is not synonymous with change of goal. Keep your eyes on the prize even when present situations breed enough doubt to overthrow your faith confession. Surround yourself with the circle of encouragers, the family of go-getters and the company of believers. Remain unmoved by rumors, accusations, gossip and threats. Rise above pettiness, tininess and minuteness. Possess the willingness to do without what steals your self-control - delete, block, unfriend – do whatever works, and do it to safeguard your integrity and the influence over your principles. Be unwilling to accept mediocrity, to entertain poverty mentality or self-pity. Make it unacceptable for yourself to be wayward or weird and do all you can to guard your atmosphere of peace, confidence, joy and self-belief. Keep your peace and you shall have your peace. A man without self-control is like a city without walls.

God is not only preparing a blessing for you, He is also preparing you for the blessing and as you wait, your role is to control your demeanor, manage your mental posture and supervise your emotional maturity.

There is no better victory than that of bringing yourself into subjugation, regulation, order and command - to be able to rule your heart, govern your soul and lead yourself before you can attempt to lead others. Wisdom is not the foremost trait in managing people; the ability to be an example is – to exemplify virtues by becoming the tried and tested guinea pig for the values you teach. And when you can stand not just to go witnessing of and talk about values and virtues, but be the

witness of order, excellence, good mannerisms and prudent character, then you have come of age and have earned the right to lead others. Run your life, control yourself and never miss a chance to be silent until you have overcome yourself. “If you do not conquer self, you will be conquered by self.”