We have way more emotional choice than we may realize or be willing to exercise and we need to know about it and how to exercise it. It’s a self-control that is not ultimately powered by me or by you, but by the spirit of God living in us. Rather than being empowered, we need to be educated, equipped and emboldened to live according to the power that already resides in us. The ability to exercise this emotional self-regulation is not manufactured by us, but by God Himself, according to His design.

The thought of acknowledging Jesus may lead us to only think of the things we might lose, not what we might gain. Resistence to change is often driven by fear of what we might lose. How can we see things differently to see what we gain?

Do you desire to lay down your armor, stop the fighting and give over your things to the one more powerful than you? 1 Peter 2:25 tells us this one who is more powerful than us is the shepherd and guardian of our souls. He’s not only our creator, he wants us. What does a good shepherd and good guardian do? Cares for and protects his flock.