Understanding we can have self-control against anxiety is encouraging. There is something we CAN do. We do not have to feel helpless and hopeless, as anxiety promises. Rather, instead, we turn to the One Who gives us hope. Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith. (Hebrews 12:02)
For all of those who have put their faith in Christ, they have received the Advocate, the Holy Spirit. The fruit of the Holy Spirit is 9 parts. Love, patience, joy, peace, goodness, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control. So, if we are to have self-control, it can only come from the Holy Spirit. It is not something we produce within ourselves. It is something GIVEN to us. Yes, self-control is a gift. (Galatians 5:22-23)
Did you notice something else?
Peace is a gift, too. Now, I dove into the peace of God and what it means a couple of weeks ago, how it is so much more than just a feeling. See posts 1 & 2 of What Is The Peace of God, if you want to learn more or need a refresher. The peace of God is about the assurance we have in Jesus Christ. It’s not about US, the peace of God is about HIM. (Caps are for emphasis)
One major role of the Holy Spirit is to constantly point us and the world to Christ. John 16:08 tells us the Holy Spirit points out sin, righteousness, and the judgment to come. Now, Christ is righteousness. He is the only One in Whom we receive righteousness. See: Righteousness Points To Jesus | Christ In The Old Testament
Everything goes back to Christ.
(This is a portion from my post How Can I Experience (Seek After) The Peace of God. This post is from a series I did digging into anxiety.)
The Gospel Message: With the Good News means there’s bad news. We all are sinners and condemned. We all deserve the just punishment of God’s wrath. Christianity is unlike any other religion because we cannot earn our way into Heaven. God saw the weakness of man and his utter depravity. Yet, He showed us grace. Jesus, God, One Person of the Trinity, became God in the flesh, the God-Man. He was always perfect and sinless. And His humanity was perfected on the cross, living the full sinless life. He became our atonement sacrifice. Dying in our place, taking on the wrath of God upon Himself. He died on the cross, and He was resurrected because death could not hold Him. Jesus is the answer. We, as guilty sinners, need His blood to pay off our debt of sin. For all who put their faith in Him – meaning eyes are opened to the Gospel, we see ourselves as a sinner, we see the need for Christ, we desire our Savior, and we see the ugliness of our sin. Putting our faith in Jesus, we seek HIs forgiveness and repent from our sins, we turn away from our old way of life. We, through the work of the Holy Spirit, continue to become convicted of sin daily. Our eyes will never be the same again. We see things in a different light, and the truth of Christ affects how we live and serve Him. Christ tells us to count the cost. Salvation is a serious topic, it is not to be taken lightly. For a breakdown of this powerful message, understanding how Christ could be God and Man, why God required sacrifices, and more -please see: Why Did A Loving God Kill His Son? (Does God Hate?)
If you think you know the Gospel, check out these questions and see how prepared you are for the day someone might ask you why you believe: The Gospel Challenge (30 Question Quiz) – Are You Ready To Defend Your Faith?
Scripture To Meditate On – (ESV) Ephesians 5:19-20 – Addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Community Prayer – November ‘22
Christian Topics/Series Covered
Personal Blog: Peeking Beneath
Second Blog: UnAshamed Christian Housewife
Godly Men & Women I Recommend: Link To List
Resources For False Teaching: Recommended Websites For False Teachers/Teaching
Video Playlist: Christian Questions, Topics, False Teachers, Insights
Video Playlist: New Christian Believer
Video Playlist: Understanding False Teachings
Video Playlist: Sermons To Grow From
Social: Twitter, Instagram, Facebook
Inside Cup 