Psalms 31:20. Most of us desire to avoid conflict and strife in our lives. We desire peace. The best way to avoid conflict is to draw closer to God. If you call on Him, He will protect you. No matter what pressures and conflict man can bring upon you, God will protect you. No matter what lies people tell about you, God will protect you. All we need to do is accept His will and stop relying on man or ourselves.

Proverbs 25:28. The way to self-control starts from within ourselves. We can try the latest fad diets, smoking patches, and anger management classes, but these self-control fixes will not work until we realize that the fix is within ourselves and with God. One definition of self-control (temperance) is “the virtue of one who masters his desires and passions, especially his sensual appetites” (J.H. Thayer). The virtue of self-control is a moral excellence that starts within ourselves.