THE BEACON ON THE BOULEVARD

        Two words you will rarely hear me say in the same sentence are “control” and “good.” Control is hardly ever good or helpful for us. Our grasp for control tends to work against us and God. However, there is one kind of control that is good: self-control. It’s literally one of the fruits of the Spirit. “In contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23) I don’t think St. Paul saved the
weakest for last, but maybe a pre-requisite for the other fruits. “We” can be our worst enemy. As we are about tossed about by ceaseless work, burdened with anxieties, worried with uncertainty, bombarded with thoughts, weighed down with pains we carry and no doubt, harassed with temptations, often the best start is slowing ourselves down and seeking stillness where we stand. “Be still and know I am God.” The way to peacefulness, growth in virtue, freedom from vice and avoiding sin I think involves a choice to control ourselves. God does not force us do right, and the devil cannot force us to sin. Self-Mastery is the goal, only by God’s grace. Self-restrain is an act of love for God’s sake. Self-control, hard as it is for us, has to start with desiring it and learning to choose it.

      Perhaps we’re thinking “How can I control myself when things are spinning out of control and I’m just keeping up?” That’s no excuse for Jesus, who is Lord of the present moment and the future. We have to learn to embrace holding ourselves back, just ourselves. Down to the heart if the matter, what can we do to avoid sin? Control our mind. Lay down our ability to judge, over that person or all those things people we feel we can judge, over and over again. Control our
heart. Turn away from that temptation to despair, even when it’s right there. Pull ourselves back from anger with all our might, like pulling back on the reigns. Control our words. Anything that says “They deserve these harsh words” and blurting it out is sin. With gossip, we know well what entertains us to share, we shouldn’t unless it actually helps and doesn’t hurt someone’s dignity to say it. Control our actions. Be aware that our face truly can console or harm another person’s spirit. Hold our hand back from over-using habits. (Phone, social media, pleasures, drink, etc.) We have a choice what we look at, think about or listen to. And lust only feels like it
comes from us. It comes from him, the enemy. Hold back. Even if only micro-movements, self-control is the way of freedom in our walk towards heaven.