Lewis B. Smedes

 

SELF-CONTROL is…

 

“Give it all you got”, they said

“you can have anything you want”, they said

I definitely had one big dream in mind

eager to see all my wishes come true!

 

 I could “make it happen”

afterall, “I could create my reality”

whatever happened in my life

I believed, “I had the power within me”

 

For years I was impulsive

whatever it took I would do

I ran ahead no matter what

only to be drowning under the cost

 

My desires for my dream were massive and bold

it was easy for me to dream big

what I didn’t expect, was what He said,

“It was never meant to be without Me”

 

Then one day

it all came tumbling down

I was hanging on

a single bare thread

 

In desperation I cried, “I give up!

my dream is crumbling, there’s nothing left

if things continue to go downhill,

I will have nowhere to go but up!”

 

So I surrendered it all

turned over my dreams and myself to God

“I’ll be handling all your problems,” He said,

“and I will not be needing your help”

 

I thought self-control was my freedom

After all, I was the one in control

when I made one big mess of things

He simply said, “just take the next right step”

 

Now, He’s in control of my life

no matter what happens or when

He takes care of it all, He’s sees every challenge

I am safe in the palm of His hand

 

You see, self-control doesn’t come from me

it’s the indwelling fruit of the Spirit

caressing, transforming and changing my heart

into the likeness of the Master Creator

 

Now striving, anxiety and exhaustion is gone

no pushing, chaos or the fear of missing out

just a still small voice…with a whisper and a wink,

“child, just keep looking at Me!”

 

“Be strong and courageous; Do not be afraid;

do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God

will be with you wherever you go.”

Joshua 1:9