I’ve tried resolutions.
They don’t work for me.
The pressure. The “have to’s” of it all. Have I ever mentioned that the quickest way to deter my spirit from going at something with gusto is to deflate the wind in my sails and tell me I “have to”?
Streak of rebellion? Perhaps. But make it a requirement and it suddenly becomes work. Psychological? Yes.
Which is why God led me to a word for 2012 that made me shake my fists up at Him, particularly after a year in which He FORCED me to focus on, of all things, OBEDIENCE.
The nerve of that guy.
As if I need help with obedience. HA.
And as if I need help with…
SELF. CONTROL.
Who does He think He is anyway? God or something?
Oh, yeah.
He knows us with such intimacy that He even knows what we need before we do.
So apparently, He thinks I might want to grow a bit in the self-control department.
And as much as it pains me to admit it, He’s right.
As if He needed me to approve this – but I see that I do in fact need some help in this area.
If I want to eat it, I do.
If I don’t want to exercise, I don’t.
If I like the cute scarf I see at Target, I buy it.
If I want to have another glass of wine, I have one.
If I want a snack at 10 p.m., I eat one.
See the pattern? There are really no limits.
But why do I feel the need to limit? Isn’t it all about comfort and satisfaction?
Ten years ago, I would have answered “yes”.
I didn’t know much about this Jesus character and God was just this being that existed only when I needed Him to help out a little bit.
But then life took over and I started to get to know Him a bit better. I began to walk deeper and He slowly began revealing qualities that needed refinement.
And this past year, this wretched year of 2011, He took me to Ghana.
Ghana was the brightest and most jolting part of a year I wasn’t so sad to see leave this past December 31.
For the first time, my eyes were opened to the fact that we really AREN’T necessarily supposed to be comfortable 24 hours a day.
Long lines in stifiling heat? The Ghanaians were laughing and talking with one another. They made new friends. The heat, well, it’s not fun but it’s just part of life, you know?
No one grumbled. No one complained and wondered what was taking so long. No one stared at their watch and rolled their eyes.
Feeling hungry but no access to food at the moment? It’ll go away soon and you’ll eventually eat.
Want to buy something that will end up at Goodwill next year or do you want to be a responsible steward of God’s money?
See the pattern here?
While obedience and pride and humility go hand-in-hand, self-control is the glue that holds it together.
Recently, I did some reading on the fruits of the spirit.
Love. Joy. Peace. Patience. Kindness. Goodness. Faithfulness. Gentleness. AND SELF-CONTROL.
I can’t remember where I read it, but the author stated that self-control is listed as the last fruit because it’s impossible to attain self-control without the presence of the former eight.
I’m beginning to think that God doesn’t give easy assignments. And this is actually a good thing.
Easy doesn’t move me. It usually keeps me right where I am.
And of course, God loves us right where we are at the moment but He loves us too much to keep us there.
Good thing.
I pray that you will consider a word for the year, a simple reminder of how you can be refined, and view it as an opportunity to be molded into an image that is more like His son.
After all, that’s His goal for us.
Do you have a word for 2012? What is it?
Trust. I don’t like it. I need to do it.
Don’t we all, girl? HEY – saw that you called today. I feel SO honored that you called little old me all the way from England! Bummed I missed you. Spencer is missing your little man and won’t stop talking about him.
It’s time for you to come on home now…:)
So, I decided to check your response since you told me you gave me one today, and I am SO CRACKING UP that you thought I was still in England! Hahahahahaha!! Soooo funny!!!
LOVE this Natalie. I can relate to so much of what you wrote….so much. This is convicting and such a good reminder. Thank you for being willing to share :) My word? (Oh, and I don’t really do resolutions, either…haha…;) ) Mine is change. The verse He gave me to go with it is Isaiah 43:18-19. Freaks me out a little because I know I have a heart in desperate need of change…and it’s never easy!
Blessings to you :)
I think realizing that we have a heart in need of desperate change is HUGE because guess what, sweet Ashlie? We ALL do. Every last one of us.
Know why?
Because we’re bound by the flesh.
You don’t walk that path alone, girl.
Excited to see what this year brings for you, dear one!
Love this Nat. Still praying for this word. Hmmm.
I have a word for you. NO.
As in “No, I cannot do that” or “No, I’m sorry, I can’t sing for that” or “No, I can’t bake brownies for tonight…” or, oh wait – am I really typing this?
Hee, hee. You know I can say this to you because we row the same boat, friend. :)
Self-control is one of our family character traits. Because it is so hard to do, we are hoping that teaching our kids about it, to pray for it, to recognize it this early will allow them an easier time than their parents have with it as they get older. Here’s to hope!
My word is FREEDOM. I’m still wrestling with that one though.
OH Freedom…There’s a light little one for you, huh?
And yet.
What a perfectly beautiful word that is and a wonderfully beautiful place to reside. In complete freedom. That only He can provide.
LOVE the idea of family character traits by the way…
Mine is Listen…I’ve always taken this word as a direct attack against my extroverted personality…but I think it likely has more to do with prayer. We’ll see what God does…Love ya, girl!! Self control, eh? Wooo…I’ll be prayin’ for ya!
I hear ‘ya, girl! LISTEN. I need to do better with that one too…Slow to speak, slow to speak, slow to speak…It’s my new mantra…
Love YOU!
Self-control. That’s a hard one. My word is Grow but it boils down to self-control, which I am terrible at exercising. I also have Audacious. One of my goals is to grow my blog. That will require audacity and boldness to step out of my comfort zone. It’s going to be an exciting year!
My word focus for 2012 is PEACE. However, as I read many other people’s word focus for the year I agree with them. I LOVE your word: self control. I too could use some ‘divine help’ in that word department! :)
That’s a wonderful one as well, Rachel. To constantly strive for peace even when it means more humility on your part? Now that’s opportunity for growth.
May it be so for you this year – PEACE.
Oh, my goodness!!! I love this quote:
“I can’t remember where I read it, but the author stated that self-control is listed as the last fruit because it’s impossible to attain self-control without the presence of the former eight.”
How true!! What an awesome post, my friend!
Thank you for linking up at my One Word Wednesday today.
Have a wonderful day!
I know – it so struck a chord with me as well! I wish I could remember where I saw it.
Thanks, girl. You bless me!
This is so powerful Nat. I know in some areas of life I definitely lack self control. And sometimes I think I do it to make up for other areas in my life I am not satisfied with. Sigh. A work in progress I am…always. :)
My word is Dare. :o)
Isn’t that so true? There is definitely a balance in “healthy” self-control.
I DEFINITELY do not have too much self-control in any area at the moment though I have in the past – hence why I chose to hone in on that one this year…
And yes – dare. LOVED your description of it on your blog.
That’s a BIG word! God has great things planned for you this year – so exciting! My One Word is Contentment – to be content in my walk with the Lord… Happy I stopped by :)
I’m happy you stopped by, too! Contentment would have been a good one for me as well…To be truly content is living in the now and living in the now is showing gratitude for what He’s provided right at this moment. So important to do and I need frequent reminders to do so.
Happy you stopped by as well!! Thank you – so good to meet you, Kathleen!