Proverb 25

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

This one caught my eye a few months ago, but I'd forgotten about it already. Basic Idea: Without self-control you have no way to protect yourself. Any temptation has full access.

When I was younger I always thought self-control was something I just needed to get. Like some people have it and some don't. I wasn't sure where one got this "self-control" but I wanted it. There were things in my life and in my head that I didn't want to do, think, say or eat.

Now I know a little more. The first tactic for achieving self-control? Letting my pure frustration and/or disgust cry out to HaShem. Over and over and over again. He can take it.

The second? Let Him do it.

The third? Make a choice, and be willing to get up anytime you fall and be willing to make that choice again.

Self-control is resisting temptation. A speaker once recounted how a man had asked this question: "How can Jesus understand my struggles when He was perfect?" The speakers response? "He was sinless, but that doesn't mean He wasn't tempted. Who would you rather lean on: Someone who has fallen into temptation or someone who had the strength to to resist the devil?

Yeshua (Jesus) is tempted:
^(B)

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness
to be tempted by the devil.
Matthew 4:1

He calls on God's word [and Yeshua is the Word] to resist temptation:

But he answered, ^(H) "It is written,
^(I) "'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word
that comes from the mouth of God.'"
Matthew 4:4

He actively chooses to push the very tempter away:

Then Jesus said to him, "Be gone,^(Q) Satan! For^(R) it is written,
^(S) "'You shall worship the Lord your God
^(T) and him only shall you serve.'"
Matthew 4:10

Which brings us back to hiding His word in our heart, hence my study of Proverbs:

Submit yourselves therefore to God.
Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
James 4:7

Daily... Weekly Proverb

I love to read a chapter of the book of Proverbs everyday. So, from time to time, I do.

My initial goal was to read it daily (happens sometimes, not others), pertaining to the date. With 31 chapters and around that many days in a month, I should read through it once a month. Right.

My next goal was to memorize one verse that caught my eye from that chapter. Or at least go over it throughout the day. More often then not, it is one a week, but each little bit helps.

^(A)I have stored up your word in my heart,
that I might not sin against you.
Pslam 119:11

I'm a new mom who is still learning what a resonable goal is, but I'm also learning to not beat myself up when I don't meet my expectations. No beating up, but no giving up either. Each day is another opportunity to do what I know I need to do.

On that note, my proverb of the week:

^(E)

By wisdom a house is built,
and by understanding it is established
Proverb 24:3

And since "the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" (Prov 9:10), may the first stone of my house be the fear of Ha Shem!