Biblical Answer

As I reflect on this question, I'm reminded of my own spiritual journey. I've come to realize that I'm not in control, and that's a hard lesson to learn. We can't control our spiritual formation, most of the circumstances of our lives, and certainly not God. But that doesn't mean we're powerless. We can intentionally design our lives to give Jesus free rein over our formation, and that's where self-control comes in.

Self-control is not about being in control, but about being controlled by our deepest desires. It's about choosing our own constraints, rather than letting them be chosen for us by external forces. When we surrender to God's control, we can experience a whole new level of joy and freedom. As the Bible says, "You must arrange your days so that you are experiencing deep contentment, joy, and confidence in your everyday life with God" (John Ortberg). This is the key to living a life that is truly surrendered to God.

As a pastor, I've seen many people struggle with the idea of self-control. They want to be in control, but they're not willing to surrender to God's control. But the truth is, self-control is a blessing, not a burden. It's about living a life that is holy and honorable, not driven by passionate lust or selfish desires. When we choose self-control, we're not saying "no" to God, but saying "yes" to His will and purposes for our lives. And that's a beautiful thing.