Self-Control or Strength of Spirit

I wish I could tell you self-control comes naturally to me.

It doesn't.

Most of the time, I do fairly well. I think before I speak. I choose my words carefully. I try to respond instead of react.

Then there are those moments when I find myself in conversations where opinions, beliefs, or interpretations of Scripture are very different from my own. When that happens, I can feel the tension rising before the conversation even begins.

In fact, if I know I'm going to be spending time with people whose perspectives differ significantly from mine, I often spend the week beforehand reminding myself to listen well, speak carefully, and resist the urge to argue.

Sometimes I'm successful.

Sometimes I'm not.

Not long ago, I found myself in one of those situations. For several hours, I listened as people discussed faith, judgment, and salvation in ways that deeply troubled me. The longer the conversation continued, the harder it became to remain silent.

Eventually, my self-control gave way.

I said exactly what I was determined not to say.

It wasn't my finest moment.

As I reflected on that experience later, I realized something uncomfortable: while I was frustrated by what others were saying, I had failed to demonstrate the very thing I believe the Holy Spirit was asking of me.

Self-control.