Do you ever struggle to do just enough? Eat just enough? Shop just enough? My struggle is being in the garden and getting out on time. Sometimes I get lost there and four hours after I began, the work seemed to have doubled. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 KJV says, “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: but I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” Here are some practical ways that you can become more and more temperate in all aspects of life. Seek God daily for strength, wisdom and His presence. “And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.” Mark 1:35 KJVSet a time limit. When it is reached, stop. “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:” Ecclesiastes 3:1 KJVBreak tasks down into manageable chunks and generously give away to others what you don't need to do. “And Moses' father in law said unto him, The thing that thou doest is not good. Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people that is with thee: for this thing is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it thyself alone. Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God: and thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do. Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens: and let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee. If thou shalt do this thing, and God command thee so, then thou shalt be able to endure, and all this people shall also go to their place in peace.” Exodus 18:17-23 KJVSay no. Not every work of God is yours to do. Know what God has called you to do and remain in His will. In 1 Chronicles 28, David wanted to build a house for the Lord, BUT, God said no. Though it was a good work and a noble honour, he had to obey the voice of God and let go of the idea. Know what God expects of you. Diligently study His Word. Psalm 119:11Take/do what is necessary. Especially when it comes to eating, drinking, shopping, collecting stuff.Prayer-pause. Have an automatic pause - a built-in delay. Take a few moments to pray in your heart to God before you speak, make a decision or act. Ask for His help to make the right choice. “And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” Matthew 21:22 KJVPhilippians 4:13 - I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Believe that self-mastery/self-control is possible for you through Christ’s power working in you. Also, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.” James 1:5-8 KJVMay the Lord bless you as you endeavour to obey His voice and do His will everyday.
