Mom Heart Moments #21

He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city.

NOT TOO LONG AGO, a lovely mom brought her two children along to our meeting in a coffee shop. They were sweet children, but they alternated between climbing all over her and making her chase them around the café! Later, my children and I were discussing the meeting. It was humorous to hear how opinionated they were, as each reminded me how intentionally we taught them to be patient and to wait their turn —because they all remembered it the same way. We were (and are!) strong believers in a concept called self-government.

The idea behind self-government is that all of us have power and authority over our own lives. This power comes from within, and can help us master problems, surmount obstacles, and use our self-will to achieve great things. The person who has cultivated this kind of strong character is useful and productive in every area of life.

This quality helps a believer exercise faith, courage, and perseverance in the midst of trials. It is what helps a pianist to practice long hours, an athlete to exercise rigorously in order to become a champion, a missionary to master a language and remain faithful in a foreign country until there is a multiplying ministry, a wife to bear up with grace when married to an immature husband, a mother to continue over and over to practice patience with a sick or rebellious child. It is the unseen power of governing life by mature, faith-based choices as opposed to temporary, self-centered feelings.

At the time today’s Scripture was written, a city without walls had no protection, no vantage point to watch for enemies, and no means of defense. And so we are when we have no self-control. Is self-control an area in your own life that could use some work? How can you strengthen your own “city walls”?