This week I have been listening to a Graham Cooke teaching about the Fruit of the Spirit. One particular quote jumped out at me. Graham defines self-control as "believing the best about someone." I had never heard self-control defined that way. Typically I would describe self-control as restraining my actions or the things I would say out loud. Never before had I considered self-control as a check on my thoughts, feelings, or heart attitude.
I find this definition simple but very powerful. It is not about external actions. It is about the posture of our heart. G-d is equally as concerned with the thoughts of my heart and my internal attitude as He is about my actions towards other people. Galatians 5:22-23 lists the attributes of the Spirit and the majority of them have to do with the posture of our hearts. It is equally exciting and challenging to know that He is constantly wanting us to become more like Him in very thought and deed.
This quote has inspired me to be more in control of my thoughts. Internally I need to believe the best about each person in my life. I need to recognize the good qualities in each person, even if there is something challenging in our relationship at the moment. I hope this new approach in my thinking will help me become a better person, friend, and leader.
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