I have recently been reading a book called We.
It was written in the 1920's by a Russian author who warned of a future society where all spontaneity and freedom are lost to rationality, efficiency, and control.
All disaster is avoided, but at the same time all creativity and joy are muted as well.
It reminds me very much of the book, the Giver, where the world is simply grey- safe but without life.
As I have been exploring this issue of the fruit of the Spirit, I have started to realize that every good characteristic has its down side or even dangerous side if it is taken the wrong level.
This is certainly the case with self-control.
Though self-control leads to happiness and peace, an unhealthy level of self-control leads to joylessness and even depression.
In the midst of becoming self-controlled people, we can't lose the spontaneity and creativity which are essential to joy and real success in life.
I am sure we all know who individuals who seem very self-controlled in what they do, but at the same time, they seemed to be controlled by this characteristic- they can't seem to think outside of the own box they have construed in their mind, let themselves go, or simply learn to be creative.
In a very strange irony- they are controlled by their self-control, instead of using that self-control as a tool for their own joy.
In the midst of trying to implement this self-control in our lives, we need to make sure that we are not losing the spontaneity and creativity that really gives meaning to our lives.
Let's seek the Spirit to fill us with self-control, but that we would learn to control this wonderful gift and not let this gift control us.