From the desk of Melissa Reinert…
“A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18
I don’t need to tell you we live in a fast-paced society. You know the pressures. You know the desire for and the pleasure of instant gratification. You also know the heartache that results from someone’s thoughtless action or remark, as well as the heartache of your own lashing out.
This living in constant hurriedness is quite contrary to how our heavenly Father calls us to live… it’s quite contrary to our spiritual nature. The toll is devastating. Look at 1 Thessalonians 5:18. Without self-control, without taking the time to train ourselves in discipline, we are a city broken into and ravaged.
There are many scriptures that call us to “be still,” such as Psalm 46:10. First Thessalonians 5:18 reminds us to take inventory of our blessings and circumstances. We are to be content. First Corinthians 7:5 says we should make time for others and to devote ourselves to prayer so that we may escape the enemy’s snares. We should also take time to appreciate the Lord and all that He has done and will do in our lives; 1 Samuel 12:16.
When we press pause, we get to know God. We are more appreciative for what we have and that brings great satisfaction and lessens our temptations. When we slow down we spend time with those we love, we care for ourself, we walk ever-closer to the Lord. This allows us to put on His full armor and fight against the enemy. Finally, we have a clear vision of the big picture in life – what the Lord wants for us – how we can serve Him by telling and showing others Jesus’ unconditional, unstoppable, timeless love.