The third month of 2026 has given me time to concentrate and dig deeper into my One Word for the year...self-control. It's complicated, yes, and I'm certainly not doing it perfectly because as we established last month, the power for self-control does not come from within us, but rather it's the Holy Spirit working in us...convicting when we aren't exercising self-control, bringing us to our Heavenly Father with confession and repentance.
March has helped me to realize that I need to tear apart, if you will, self-control in its many layers. The one area that has stood out the most to me so far has been the layer of Patience, which is also part of the fruit of the Spirit...and while it and self-control are not twins, they are related.
A few examples that I've noticed since the first of the year...
I love finding examples in Scripture without the word being said specifically, but where there's no doubt as to what the topic is. One such case for patience and shows evidence of Paul's self-control is found in Philippians 3:1 which says, "Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things again to you is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you." When I read and meditated on that verse I was convicted of the many times that I am impatient with others when they don't do something as quickly as I would like, or worse yet, when I give them the impression that to do something for them is a trouble to me. May God be glorified for bringing those things to mind so that I could take them to the cross. His Word is powerful!
Another example of patience being exhibited that really stood out to me was in the month of February...Valentine's Day weekend to be exact. Our pastor's daughter, son-in-law and 4 granddaughters were in visiting their parents and I knew in advance that they were going to be at church on Sunday. I made sure to pack up some extra treat bags to share with the kiddos. I had given out three bags to the older girls but somehow had not noticed that the youngest one (who is three years old) was standing right in front of me. After giving out the three bags to the older girls, I was saying, "Where is my fourth little one?" Her grandmother pointed out that she was standing right in front of me. That dear sweet little one gave me cause to meditate throughout the week on her exhibition of patience. Never once did she speak up, never once did she try to grab one of the other bags, never once did she ever extend a hand. That sweet child will always be an example to me of what it means to patiently wait my turn.
The month of March has brought an opportunity for the Lord to show me just how impatient I truly am and how I need to pray more faithfully for His power in self-control. I find it hard to be patient when dealing with the medical field some days and this month has given me ample reason to exercise patience...and I have failed miserably. When needing to deal with multiple offices it has been challenging. Again, conviction comes when I fail to keep in mind the Sovereignty of God and that He is providing opportunities for me to practice my self-control. If I truly trust HIM and not the people involved, I can have such peace that everything is going according to HIS plan.
There were times when I realized how challenging "Resilience" was, but I am finding that it was/is easier to be resilient and in fact, how much resilience is a must when it comes to learning about self-control through all of its layers. May God be glorified.
I love how you are writing on the layers of your word. Things that we struggle with almost always have layers that we have to peel back one layer at a time.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Friend. Self-control is such a broad subject that it almost has to be dealt with in layers. xx
DeleteI love the thought of peeling things back, one layer at a time. It also struck me while reading that there are so many things we struggle with, and yet far too often I feel like I'm doing pretty good because I tend to think my issues (sins) aren't as bad as someone else's. Like my issues with patience, self control, pride... are not nearly as bad as someone else cheating... So I've been convicted while reading this today. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteMari, my friend, thank you for being vulnerable here. Writing this post is one of the hardest things I've done for a while, mainly because of how convicting it was for me...in so many areas. I'm thankful to know that the Lord has used it in your life because it makes my being vulnerable in sharing things a little less intimidating. xx
DeleteGood post, words and examples. Patience is my biggest issue to work on, thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteBill, thank you for your words of encouragement. They mean so much.
DeleteThis was so good and convicting to me! Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteHello Chrissy! It's good to see your smiling face again. Thank you for your kind words of encouragement. May the Lord bless you as you follow through on the convictions that the Holy Spirit brought to your heart and spirit. xx
DeleteGood thoughts. I have a hard time with patience when someone else's failure or carelessness impacts me--and they don't seem to realize or care. Somehow it's easier to believe God is working through the big trials of life than smaller irritations. But I have to remind myself to be patient in those times as well.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, my friend. Let me say that I totally understand where you are coming from when other's failure or carelessness impacts you. It's something I've really had to deal with in my own life these last couple of weeks. I'm thankful for the Holy Spirit's power that convicts and brings me to a remembrance of what my Christ like attitude should be during those times. It makes me think of Sinclair Ferguson's Sermon on the Mount book that I just recently read...with the subtitle Kingdom living in a fallen world.
DeleteWhat a great example of patience the little girl showed!!
ReplyDeleteI know, Karen. I have thought of that sweet little girl so many times since that incident. And the sweet reminder of her still brings conviction when I am being impatient. xx
DeleteThank you for sharing such a well thought out and presented post, which gives a lot of food for thought.
ReplyDeleteAll the best Jan
Thank you, Jan, for your words that are so encouraging to me. This was one of the hardest posts that I've shared over the years of blogging about my One Word for any year. Resilience last year was hard, but I was able to share about it without giving too many specific instances in my own life. This year's Word...well, it's hard to share and be so vulnerable. However, I am convinced that this is what God has called me to for this specific year. xx
DeleteBless you ...
DeleteAll the best Jan
xx
DeleteI'm right there with you on this lack of patience. I really need to be more aware of what circumstances are most likely to make me impatient.
ReplyDeleteAhh...yes, those triggers! You are a wise lady to watch for what circumstances are most likely to make you impatient. I know from experience that it isn't an easy task. Thanks so much for your faithfulness to stop by.
DeleteAhh, patience, that virture that we always crave, but hate to endure its time of teaching. Self control is a difficult one too, and indeed an ongoing process of the Holy Spirit. What a sweet lesson the little one taught you, she exhibited both self control and patience! Amazing! Springtime blessings to you!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Marilyn, for stopping by. It's always good to see your smiling face here. xx
DeleteOh, the wisdom of tearing apart the layers of self-control. I'm not sure I would have thought to do it that way, Dianna. I also see how challenging it is. You're not one to back down from a challenging word, I've discovered. :)
ReplyDeleteYou are so sweet, my dear friend. Do you know what actually gave me the idea to approach self-control this way? It was YOU! When I realized that you are using a different phase (or layer, if you will) for your word Shift, I was reminded of how God was constantly bringing up patience since the first of the year. So, as of now, I plan to use a different layer (of which there are many) of self-control to focus on each month. You don't know how very close I came to quitting the challenge this year but then that pesky little friend of mine from last year, Resilience, showed up and kept knocking at my door and I knew that I had to carry through with it after all. :) xx
DeleteHow sweet that Resilience came back to keep you going forward, Dianna! :) We're all blessed as a result of your journey with self-control because it's a fruit we all need to be receptive to.
DeleteI'm still dealing with self-control...lol...but I keep trying!
ReplyDeletehugs
Donna
Dear Donna, we will all still be dealing with self-control until we are Home with our Father! :) xx
DeleteI have self control mostly it's my belief in knowing God's will for me and accepting it!!
ReplyDelete❤️❤️
DeleteSelf-control is evidence of the Holy Spirit working in the life of believer.
ReplyDeleteSo many insights and layers to self-control, Dianna. And the story of the sweet little girl waiting patiently brought encouragement to my heart.
ReplyDeleteBeautifully stated and quite introspective, Dianna. It sounds like God is at work in you. Excited to see what the next 8 months does for your life, Lord willing.
ReplyDelete