Self-control better than political power.

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Gray hair is a mark of distinction, the award for a God-loyal life. Moderation is better than muscle, self-control better than political power. -Proverbs 16:31-32 MSG

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I find it interesting that so much of my life has been spent trying to control that which is not meant to be controlled – namely my life. Life is about living it from the heart and not controlling it with the head. In a sense self control is all about the dominance of the heart over the head - the inner self controlling the actions of the outer self. It speaks to me of my need to nourish and strengthen my inner self so that it can control the outer self.

Interesting that Solomon speaks of gray hair - I began to understand this paradox of the inner and outer selves fairly late in life. It was then that I began to see the wisdom found in moderation. It was then that I began to leave my extreme views - age has a way of teaching you lessons that you cannot seem to embrace when you are young. Early in life I can remember wanting external or political power when what I desperately needed was inner power.

Help us today Lord to care for our inner self by feasting on and obeying the words that you speak to us.

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