Years ago, Saturday Night Live had a reoccurring character named Nadeen (Cheri Oteri) who would come into situations with her famous phrase, “Simma down now!”
I think of this when the idea of self-control comes to mind. Today is a good day for all of us to simma down now! Let’s look at self-control together.
A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls. – Proverbs 25:28
Self-control is the ability to manage your impulses, emotions, and behaviors while achieving daily goals. Some would argue self-control is what separates humanity from animals! The idea is rooted in the prefrontal cortex, which oversees the planning, problem-solving, and decision-making function of the brain. One source explains, “The richness of nerve connections in the prefrontal cortex enables people to plan, evaluate alternative actions, and ideally avoid doing things they’ll later regret, rather than immediately respond to every impulse as it arises.” Psychology Today
How does self-control apply in our journey?
Your words matter. Do your words lift others up or tear them down? Do your words enhance or hurt your witness? Do your words honor Jesus? We must maintain more self-control with our words.
Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. Ephesians 4:29
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14
But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Colossians 3:8
Your behavior matters. Your behavior both inside and outside your home will show your true character. Examine your behavior. Examine your actions. Does your life mirror the truth, grace, mercy, and holiness of the Savior?
Training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age. Titus 2:12
Your time matters. Self-control will determine how we spend our time. We each get 24 hours a day. Spend it wisely. In Colossians 4:5 and Ephesians 5:16, you will discover how to make the best use of your time on this side of heaven.
So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12
Today is a good day to simma down now!
Dave Snyder, First Baptist Church of Pensacola
Local Pulse Editor’s Note:
Dave Snyder is a part of our Community Voices series. This dynamic group of Pensacola dwellers is dedicated to driving positive change in our city. They inspire progress and foster a stronger, more connected community through shared experiences, expert insights, and thoughtful perspectives on impactful topics.
