“A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.” Proverbs 25:28

“To the ancient mind, a city without walls is ripe for the picking. It lacks any defenses. It is susceptible to any passing army or group of bandits…When we lack self-control, we are setting ourselves up for disaster.”

Self-control is not natural, it doesn’t come easy. In fact, one of the hardest folks to control is the face I see in the mirror, but saying no to self is empowering. When we become far-sighted, in tune with the big picture, the daily battle plan is much easier to execute. My goal is to please God, that sets the course for my why. Would this please God? If not, He will give me the strength to say no to myself.

Children are not born with limits. We must teach them in such a way that when they leave home they will have the capacity to say no to ungodly things that will bombard their adult lives. How?

By modeling this struggle daily while they are at home and by letting them practice it with our support.

Let us embrace the rhythms of life like working before playing, praying before eating, and asking permission before doing something we’re not sure about. These rhythms will serve our children well, now and in adulthood, they won’t hurt us either : )

Boundaries help us respect each other. We cannot teach kids what we are unwilling to practice.

Are you ready for the challenge of being far-sighted... think eternity? Please join Kate and Sheila as they recap Rule #9 We Control Ourselves from House Rules by Jacob Hudgins.