We are taking yet another view of self-discipline today. The last few days in the blog post we have looked at discipline in general, and also at who God is regarding discipline. This time it will be in who you are, so hold on to your seat as we look at power, love and a sound mind. Let’s start with this reading:
2 Timothy 1:7 niv
7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
I find myself thinking EI here – Emotional Intelligence. Composure, presence of mind, cool headedness, patience, self-possession, restraint are all qualities that are demonstrated by people who are productive, dependable and have influence. I believe it’s one of the key qualities that we miss in our hiring process – in who we hire, especially when it comes to our management team. We can even apply this to our kids – Emotional Intelligence.
Paul was Looking for Emotional Intelligence
This is a prime example of mentoring – Paul with Timothy. Paul looked for these characteristics and saw them early on in Timothy. What Timothy was directed to do required these elements, as does your leadership, at work and home. I don’t think I am the only one seeing the lack thereof, but everywhere I go I see EI in short supply. This is especially true during difficult times such as what we are living through the past year. Most people, in most situations, snap or react at some point…and then wish they could take it back. You are NOT that person. 😊
During pressure times, in fact at any time, it takes discipline – remember ’strict training’ is required. Application of the R Factor (Respond vs React). Training yourself in the Word, biblical principles will guide your life and become easier as you continue in the routine and discipline of strict training. My “huffing and puffing” during my physical training is still happening, but I know as I continue being disciplined in my training routine, I will have better control of my “huffing and puffing” as it will become a thing of the past.
Do Not React But Respond
I like what Ken Boa says, “God’s Spirit is the power source behind self-discipline.” This is who you are – a woman or man of God who has love and a sound mind, and in any and all situations displays composure, cool headedness, patience, self-discipline and restraint as you RESPOND and ACT accordingly from Biblical principles with the Power of the Holy Spirit.
Challenge for today – Ask God what you need discipline in (you probably already know) and ask him how to do it….and probably most importantly, WHO can help you do it. That’s where a great mentor can come in! When are you starting your ‘strict training?’
Say this out loud, “I am a wo(man) of God who has power, love and a sound mind, and in any and all situations I find myself in I display composure, cool headedness, patience, self-discipline and restraint. I respond and act accordingly with a Biblical foundation and with the power of the Holy spirit. So be it!
Love it when God sends you the same messages from multiple directions to make sure you gets His message. I had listened to a training yesterday from DARREN HARDY on emotional intelligence and self-awareness and self-control and then Scott Ramsey sent out this devotion this morning. I read it at the Lord’s perfect timing because I had just been strongly reacting to something because I was feeling out of control in the situation and wanted to blame others for not taking their responsibility (which they were not) and was getting all rapped up in anger and then realized as I read this that I had a choice in my own reactions and my own self-control and as far as the rest of the world, that God is in control and I don’t need to be. Lord has given me His Spirit so I have a choice to react or respond.
I wanted to share that with you this morning in case anyone else is feeling that in this Covid, out of gas world!
Blessings,
Valerie
Valerie, thanks for sharing. I know it spoke to me. I continually work on getting better at responding verses reacting. I notice the parallel in my daily walk as I am in step with Him.