29 Nov, 2006
Here's the 'flip' side
Do you have self-control?
Vick makes obscene gesture to home crowd
Vick used both hands to deliver the gesture and flashed an angry look toward the handful of fans remaining in the Georgia Dome.
Those who hung around booed the home team loudly after its dismal 31-13 loss to the New Orleans Saints.
"First and foremost, I would like to apologize for my inappropriate actions with fans today," the quarterback said in a statement released by the Falcons. "I was frustrated and upset at how the game was going for my team, and that frustration came out the wrong way."
Vick had another rough day passing, completing nine of 24 for 84 yards, but that wasn't entirely his fault. The Atlanta receivers dropped at least five passes, and the offensive line didn't provide much protection. Vick was sacked three times and hit a dozen more behind the line of scrimmage after throwing passes.
Leaving the field, he let his frustration get the best of him.
"That's not what I'm about. That's not what the Atlanta Falcons are about," Vick said in his statement. "I simply lost my cool in the heat of the moment. I apologize and look forward to putting this incident behind me."
photo & story courtesy msn.foxsports.com, 11/27/06
Proverbs 29:11
11 A fool gives full vent to his spirit,
but a wise man quietly holds it back.
Galatians 5:22-23
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (ESV)
What does today's God's Story teach us about losing control and getting some self-control?
The book of Proverbs teaches us Godly wisdom for practical living. An unwise person "vents" to the extreme when feeling frustrated by circumstances and/or annoyed by others.
It's our human tendency to retaliate when someone or some situation annoys us. But as we've all experienced, this doesn't solve the issue and usually results in more trouble. Just ask Michael Vick who is about to be fined and have $20,000 removed from his bank account.
Here's the 'flip side' of losing control - God's Spirit must be in control.
To hold back our temper and stay calm, we need to have self-control ahead of time. According to our practical friend, the apostle Paul, this happens only when we allow the Holy Spirit to control our hearts and minds every day.
If you think it's hard to put a 'finger' on self-control, you're right - you can't! That's because it's part of the fruit of The Spirit. God produces this fruit in us when we are consistently abiding in Christ.
How can we connect today's God's Story to our lives?
- Thank God for the practical wisdom He provides in His Word. Confess any way in which you have been responding poorly to "annoying" people and circumstances. Ask His Spirit to take control of your heart and emotions every day. Tell God that you're willing for Him to use life's frustrating situations to teach you self-control, patience and forgiveness. Ask Him to produce the fruit of His Spirit in you. Thank Him that He will use your Godly response as a way to connect your story and His Story to others.
- Make a written list of frustrating situations that make it difficult for you to maintain self-control. It might be a certain relationship, another student at school, a teacher, a pesty little brother or sister, something at your job, frustration with possessions or a lack of them, etc. Place this list where you'll see it every day. Pray for God's Spirit to show you why you get annoyed and how to respond in a way that pleases Him.
- Whenever you eat some fruit, let Jesus remind you to abide in Him and produce the fruit of The Spirit in you.
How can we connect today's story, God's Story and our story to others?
- Chances are pretty good that you will see someone at school, at work, or on the street 'flip' someone else off. If you are with someone in your storysphere, bring up today's story about Michael Vick and look for the opportunity to talk about your story as it relates to learning self-control.
- Use this DAILYBIDE as a discussion starter with your family, youth group or small group. You could serve "finger" sandwiches and "fruit" for snacks.
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