Controlled or Controlling?

Friday 14 November 2014


At the start of this year, a friend of mine made a statement that set tone for the rest of my year. Nicola remains convinced that 'control' is at the root of many of our internal struggles - with self-control being the most challenging to master. We get angry or lose heart when we can´t control people or circumstances. We lack discipline and lose control over our own thoughts, words or actions, and spiral into a self-destructive cycle - hurting ourselves and others.

King Solomon, one exceptionally wise man (1 Kings 4:30), wrote the book of Proverbs as a practical guide for attaining wisdom and discipline (Proverbs 1:2). Although he probably faced many a battlefield, he also waged a vicious war in his mind and suffered the crushing consequence of a lack of self control. His 700 wives and 300 concubines were instrumental in turning "his heart away from the Lord" (1 Kings 11:3), and he went on to lose control of much of his kingdom.

Solomon understood that people who lack self-control are like a city with broken-down walls (Proverbs 25:28). They´re lost and will ultimately die in their own foolishness (5:23).

Scripture teaches, however, that those who are not impressed with their own wisdom fear the Lord and turn away from evil (3:7-8). The write of Hebrews understood that discipline isn´t enjoyable while it´s happening - it´s painful. But afterwards there´s a peaceful harvest of right living for those who learn from it (Hebrews 12:11).

As we approach the end of this year, may we continue to grow by looking to the Word of God and to the Holy Spirit for help in choosing a disciplined, self-controlled life (Proverbs 1:3). - Ruth O'Reilly-smith.

Read 

Proverbs 1:!-7

The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel :

for attaining wisdom and discipline;

for understanding words of insight;

for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life,

doing what is right and just and fair;

for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youg - let the wise listen and add to their learning,

and let the discerning get guidance - for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

Titus 2:11-14

You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful, he is self-condemned.

As soon as I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, because I have decided to winter there. Do everything you can to help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way and see that they have everything they need. Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order that they may provide for daily necessities and not live unproductive lives.

Question to Ponder

Don´t wait till the New Year to set a new goal for controlling others less and controlling yourself more. What´s preventing you from starting now and keeping it going throughout next year?

**Article taken from ODJ (Our Daily Journey with God) Sept - Nov 2014 issue