Biblical Answer

What Happens When I'm Not in Control?

When you're not in control, it means you're not in charge of your spiritual formation. This is a hard lesson for followers of Jesus to learn, as we often try to control our spiritual lives. However, God's ways are better than our own. Self-control is like any other feature of wisdom - it's learned by contemplating a person, and in this case, that person is Jesus.

The Consequences of Not Being in Control

When we're not in control, our sinful desires take over. We become enslaved by our ungodly passions, which leads to dissatisfaction, delusion, and a lack of freedom. Our natural self, which is being starved and hampered by our lack of self-control, will become angrier and angrier. We may either give up trying to be good or become one of those people who are viciously angry when someone won't submit to their control.

The Blessing of Self-Control

Self-control is a gift of the Holy Spirit, given through faith in Jesus Christ. It's not the same as self-dependence, where we rely on personal willpower to control ourselves. Instead, self-control is a side effect of our relationship with Jesus. When we're in control, we're living within boundaries, and our sinful desires are no longer in charge. We're able to say no to sinful desires, even when it hurts, and we're able to master our impulses and emotions. This is a great blessing, and it's called liberation. By relying on God's grace and living within boundaries, we can experience a life of freedom and joy.