Whoever has no rule over his own spirit
Is like a city broken down, without walls.
Proverbs 25:28
In today’s modern culture there’s a constant pressure to always perform and produce results.
This doesn’t always come from a boss or romantic partner, but many times we set certain expectations for ourselves. With the New Year having just passed, there’s a lot of people who set goals for things they’d like to change about themselves.
The sad reality– one that we’re all aware of– is that most people won’t follow through with those resolutions til the end of the year. In fact, a post from Ohio State’s School of Business suggests that 43% of people will fall off by the end of January.
The article lists 4 reasons why most resolutions fail, but it leaves one out that’s the elephant in the room– a lack of self-control, a.k.a addiction.
I typically prefer to reference ‘lack of self-control‘ over addiction. The latter has more of a stigma that tends to be isolated to substances and the more ‘visible’ behaviors; whereas the former implies a more general view that includes some of those not so obvious habits that no one wants to talk about.
Whatever the case and whatever the habit, a lack of self-control has destroyed many lives. Think of the person who gambles their house away; or the person who loses their child in an alcohol-related accident where they were the one drinking and they were the one driving.
When we fail to exercise self-control we are inviting negative experiences and discontentment into our lives.
What feels best in the beginning is rarely the best choice in the end.
Sophereth
Once they’re in, it’s really hard to kick them back out, and oftentimes they come with friends.
Whatever that thing– or things– is for you, just know that many people have beaten that which you struggle with.
Keep pushing and don’t ever give up– you can overcome!
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