Love And Self-control

/ Gail Johnson

The quote in C. S. Lewis’s The Screwtape Letters kept drifting through my mind when considering this post on self-control. When I came across the quote in another post, I knew I had my answer. Let’s take a look at the quote.

Boy on a Rock Center of His Wheel Erik Cox copyrightNo longer desiring

Spiritual deserts can leave us dry and empty.

Still intending

Where else do we go when He is everything?

Every trace of God has vanished

Storms can erase every trace of His hands…for a while. Of course, we know even when we can’t see His hands, we can trust His heart!

Asks why

Have you ever asked why? I have.

Feels forsaken

In certain circumstances, the enemy will try to convince us that God has forsaken us.

Still obeys

So what makes a person obey when their life is in shambles, and there seems to be no evidence of God’s hand in their life?

For me it’s Love.

When I think of my relationship with the Lord, I think of marriage. When I fell in love, I had eyes for no other. My heart was pledged to one. In good times or bad times, I know he loves me even when I don’t understand him. Hubby’s love gives me strength.

It’s the same way with our relationship with the Lord. His love gives us the strength to face the hardest circumstances. Our love for Him and the work of the Holy Spirit in us produces self-control in us. We shouldn’t take pleasure in doing things that would displease Him. Just as we shouldn’t take pleasure in doing things that would displease our earthly spouse. Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). Falling in love makes everything easier.

Storms will come. At times, there’ll be no sign of deliverance. But if we love Him as He loves us, then we will still obey.

Your turn. Tell me what keeps you intending and obeying. Both actions require self-control.

16 thoughts on “Love And Self-control”

  3. Sitting at the airport to fly home to Dallas. As I peruse faces of strangers, I often wonder if each knows God’s Love. His Love means obedience to me, too, and being faithful to reach out with His heart to touch others with His love. ❤️

  4. Wonderful post, dear Gail. Remembering the undeserved love and the undeserved rescues Jesus has lavished on me spurs me to keep trusting. Our past victories in Christ sustain us during present difficulties in life.
    Blessings ~ Wendy ❤

  5. The last clause in Lewis’s quote hits me, “… and still obeys.” So hard to do, but necessary, and we’re eventually blessed.

  6. Amen! I agree with you. Loving Him makes me want to obey Him. KNOWING Him (His ways, that He is always faithful, that He loves me so much that He cares about every little detail in my life, that His love is beyond what I can even fathom why He would love ME) makes me trust Him. I keep thinking of Psalm 116, which says that I love Him because He hears my voice and has inclined His ear unto me. Therefore will I call upon Him as long as I live. And I feel like Peter when he said, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” Loved this post!

  7. My feelings on this are the same as yours. Where else do we turn…except to the One we love? Who else can we believe and trust in fully, with no reservations? Great post this morning and wonderful reminder.

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