PART 3: THE FRUIT (Days 15–20)

— DAY 16 —

TUESDAY 17 February, 2026





JOY AND SELF CONTROL







SCRIPTURE PASSAGES




Galatians 5:22-23
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control. Against such things there is no law."

 

Nehemiah 8:10
"...And do not be grieved, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."

 

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

 

1 Peter 4:7
"The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers."

 

COMMENT

Self control is a gift that allows us to decide who is truly in charge of our everyday lives. It is the empowering ability to move beyond being a slave to a current mood or a fleeting emotion. When we embrace self control we are like a city with strong protective walls. We aren't easily rattled by every passing feeling or difficult person that comes our way. Spiritual maturity is the wonderful process of learning to regulate our internal temperature so that our service and our relationships are marked by a radiant steady joy rather than a roller coaster of emotions.

As we yield to the Holy Spirit we discover that self control is not about restrictive rules but about spiritual freedom. It is the power to say no to what is unhelpful so we can say a big yes to the peace and joy God has for us. In our tradition we often see that the greatest evidence of the Spirit’s work is not just in the moments of high emotion but in the quiet discipline of a heart that remains steady under pressure. When we are anchored in Him we become a fortress of joy that provides a safe and encouraging environment for everyone around us.

True joy is such a refreshing constant because it is so different from temporary happiness. While happiness often depends on everything going perfectly the joy of the Lord remains firm even when the work is hard or the day is long. A mature follower of Jesus is invited to be Spirit led rather than emotion driven. There is a wonderful strength that comes from being intentional with your speech and anchored in the Lord’s goodness. When we walk in self control we create a beautiful open space for God’s joy to overflow from our lives into the lives of everyone we meet.

 

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU ARE SPIRIT LED

  • Consistent Radiance: Your joy becomes a steady light that doesn't flicker when circumstances change. You find a deep sense of contentment that remains through every season.

  • Emotional Resilience: You develop the strength to process your feelings without being controlled by them. You can acknowledge a difficult emotion while still choosing to act with love and grace.

  • Protective Boundaries: Just like walls around a city, self control protects your heart from burnout and unnecessary conflict. You become wiser about where you spend your emotional energy.

  • Contagious Strength: Because your joy is anchored in the Lord, it becomes a source of strength for those around you. People feel encouraged and lifted up simply by being in your presence.

  • Clearer Communication: Self control gives you the "pause" needed to speak words that build up rather than words spoken in haste. Your conversations become more meaningful and life giving.

 

THE SELF CONTROL AND JOY TEST
Pick the number that best describes where you feel you’re at right now. Where ever you are pray about what might be your next step to move forward.

  1. Driven by Emotion: I often find myself a slave to my current mood. If I feel a bit down, my work and my team can suffer. My joy feels strictly tied to how well things are going at the moment.

  2. Struggling: I am becoming aware of my need for more discipline. I often feel a bit burned out or heavy hearted in my service, and I find it hard to maintain a positive outlook when things are tough.

  3. Disciplined: I am becoming very intentional about my speech and my reactions. I am starting to find a consistent joy in the Lord that stays with me even when the workload feels heavy.

  4. Spirit Led: I am not easily provoked or discouraged. I serve with a radiant joy that is contagious to others, and I realise that my strength comes from the Holy Spirit regardless of the circumstances.

 

MAIN QUESTIONS
(Self Reflection)

Let’s Talk in the Chat
(on the Boot Camp group in Planning Center)

One of the best parts of this journey is that we aren’t doing it alone. We’d love for our chat to be a place of real connection. As you go through each day, please jump in and share:

  1. God’s Voice: What is one specific thing you feel the Holy Spirit is whispering to your heart?

  2. Self-Reflection: What did the "test" reveal to you today?

  3. The Wins: Did you do one of the action points? Tell us about it!

  4. Testimony: Share a thought about a time you chose to be Spirit led instead of following a mood, and how that made you feel afterward.

Please Read:
Don't worry about sounding 'spiritual' The most encouraging thing you can share is your honest process. This is a self-reflection about what God is speaking directly to you about in YOUR life. Words like “I” and “Me” are encouraged, “we” and “us” less so.

 

ACTION POINTS

  1. The Mood Check: Three times today, take a quick moment to pause and ask, "Is my current mood helping or hurting the people around me?"

  2. Speak with Joy: Make a conscious choice to say something genuinely encouraging to a teammate or family member today, even if you don't particularly feel like it at first.

  3. Practice the Pause: If you feel an impulse to get frustrated or angry today, count to ten and ask the Spirit for a fresh filling of self control before you say a single word.

 

PERSONAL PRAYER STARTER
"Holy Spirit, I invite You to take lead of my moods and my heart today. I don't want to be driven by how I feel, but by the beautiful truth of who You are. Fill me with Your radiant joy and help me to stay steady in Your peace. Amen."

 
REGISTER COMPLETION OF DAY 16