Page 15 - GHOPC Womens Magazine January 2021-7 FINAL_Neat

We aJI have some area of our lives that could use a bit more self-
control. It could be having self-control at the dinner table; eating to
live not overindulging just because the food is there. As a single
person it may be having self-control when it comes to sex/sexual
activities; not giving in to the what the flesh wants but living
according to how God wants you to live life. It is not always easy to
"pull in the reigns" or stop yourself from giving in to your impulses,
but it can be managed. The Holy Spirit provides :us with the option to
grow in this area. Now I've been leery about 'asking God for certain
things, especially when it comes to His fruit. While I desire for His
fruit to be produced in my life, I quite honestly don't want to go
through the process for it to become fruit.

Let me explain and use a familiar example: In asking God to help me
with my patience it requires me going through situations that will
force me to exercise my patience. Getting cut off on the highway,
rushing to get somewhere and being caught behind a slow walker, or
standing in line at the grocery store behind someone who only has
change to make the payment. These are simple exercises I must
endure to grow in patience. Can you see how it makes me a little
nervous to ask for His fruit to be produced? It doesn't just magically
appear, like I wake up one morning and automatically have it. It
requires internal work. Just as we exercise OUT physical bodies to stay
in shape, we must exercise OUT spiritual bodies. Gaining self-control
involves delaying gratification. This means holding back from what
we desire to illicit a healthier response. We are putting off a desire in
the moment to yield a result that will benefit us long term. Exercising
or practicing self-control allows you to improve this area of your life.
It is also helpful to note that once we recognize triggers that cause us
to lose control, we can take steps to avoid them when possible.

The great part about all of this is that we don't have to do it alone. The
Holy Spirit is with us to assist through the process. Once we accept
Christ, He begins to show us areas that we need to improve. Changes
will not happen overnight, and He understands that. But if we desire a
true connection with Him, we must listen to His Spirit, take in His
Word, and apply it to our lives. In doing this we are allowing His fruit
to grow.

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