Biblical Answer

What happens when I'm not in control?

When we're not in control, it can be a difficult and painful experience. We may feel like we're at the mercy of our sinful desires, and that we're unable to master our own impulses and emotions. This is because our sinful nature resists boundaries and prefers to follow its own desires, rather than living within the boundaries that God has set for us. When we're not in control, we may feel like we're losing ourselves, and that we're being controlled by external forces or our own passions.

But the good news is that we don't have to be controlled by our sinful nature. We can choose to give Jesus control over our lives, and to live within the boundaries that He has set for us. This is a process of spiritual formation, where we intentionally design our lives to give Jesus free rein over our formation. As we do this, we can experience a new level of joy and freedom, and we can learn to live in contentment without being controlled by our desires. This is not a bleak or joyless existence, but rather a joyful and blessed one, where we are free to live in obedience to God's will.

Ultimately, self-control is a gift of the Holy Spirit, given through faith in Jesus Christ. It's not about relying on personal will power to control ourselves, but rather about trusting in God's power and provision to help us live within the boundaries that He has set for us. As we learn to live within these boundaries, we can experience the joy and freedom that comes from living in obedience to God's will, and we can learn to say no to sinful desires, even when it hurts. This is a process of spiritual growth and development, and it requires intentionality, discipline, and trust in God's power and provision.