Power, love & self-discipline

2 Timothy 1:7 "For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline."

Sometimes it is easy to recall verses like the one above, but it is much harder to live by them. We develop a way of living and it is hard to let go of. Our way of interacting with the world develops into a pattern that is familiar and safe, although, these habits often hinder us and don't allow us to reach our potential. Due to our fallen, sinful nature our patterns and way of thinking may limit us at times and may not be of God. However, Romans 6:4 says that via salvation we are able to live a new life.  Our new life means that we are to be alert and self controlled. Alert to when our old patterns of thought or fear or anger or ... are surfacing (1 Peter 5:8). Then, self-control to not dwell on it or give into it.

Ephesians 4:15 encourages us to speak the Truth in love. This even applies to how we deal with ourselves. If God wants us to encourage each other with truth in love, then wouldn't He want us to do that for ourselves as well. We often beat ourselves up mentally for not being able to obey God perfectly, but He knows that we are human and fallen, and He knows when we are making an honest effort to obey Him.

Plan of Action James 1:22 & James 1:25: To pray about our thought patterns.
Read More: Galatians 5:22-23
Prayer: Heavenly Father, please make me aware of my patterns of thinking and living that are not from you. Help me to be aware so that I can change these things in time.