Think Again!

Chapter 12: Two Participation Pitfalls • 107

violated. Parents lose control at children’s sporting events, verbally abusing referees, and shouting at other parents.

The Path to Victory The deceiver has convinced millions of people that self-control is out of reach. Impulsive people bounce from one activity to another. They make resolutions, try drugs, surgery, or hypnosis to gain control over their lives, but sink deeper into despair when nothing changes. It is difficult to overcome impulsiveness by will power alone. But you can be changed from the inside out, by a work of the Spirit.

You can overcome impulsiveness by replacing lies with truth . For example:

• If I fail, it doesn’t mean I will fail the next time; gaining self-control is a process, not an event. • Regardless of the pain I’ve had in my life, indulging myself will not take away the pain. • I can go on, even without that thing I so long for. • Inconvenience, distress, discomfort, and difficulty are normal. • I am in control of my reactions: I am not a victim of my feelings. • I am primarily a spiritual being, not a sexual being. • Denying myself doesn’t mean I’m permanently losing a part of myself. • Being mistreated and overlooked is the way Jesus lived. • I am choosing this decision: nobody is to blame but myself. • I am responsible for my reactions to everything.