Self-control is beige, boring.  But without it we have nothing.

Two reasons:

1. Self-control is the foundation of health

2. Self-control is the foundation of love

First without self-control we don’t have health — physically, psychologically, relationally, spiritually:

• If you can’t control how much you eat or lack of exercise than you are going to be compromised physically.
• If you can’t control your ego than you are going to have massive psychological sickness.  If you always feel like you deserve better than you are either going to be mean and condescending or depressed and full of self-pity.
• If you can’t control your temper than you will destroy relationships; if you can’t control your self-pity than you will always be a zombie around people.
• If you don’t renew your mind through consistent Scripture reading and prayer, then you always be at the mercy of temptation and the lying world system.

And that all makes sense; but the real tragedy of lack of self-control is the loss of love:

• Physical Life :: Have you ever thought that you need to stay healthy for others and not just for you?  Imagine eating right and exercising so you can give your maximum to your family and workplace.
• Relational Life :: Imagine reigning in your temper and self-pity so that you can accentuate others instead of making them bow to your wishes.
• Psychological/Emotional Life :: Imagine knowing that you are not the center of the universe so you can clearly see and act upon what others need.
• Spiritual Life :: If our minds and souls are not being renewed daily, then we can’t see others like God sees others, love like God loves, forgive like God forgives; in short, we fall short of the gospel.

That is why we are constantly exhorted to control ourselves; not just so our life will work, but that we will have firm foundation to do good to others no matter our feelings or circumstance.