You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
MAY 17<br />
“WILLPOWER”<br />
“Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself<br />
unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the<br />
vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much<br />
fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing.” (Jn 15: 4-5)<br />
My Lord encourages me today to “abide in Him” so that I “bear much<br />
fruit,” while reminding me, in no uncertain terms, that apart from Him<br />
I can do “nothing.” Thus Christ clears up for me the oft-confusing and<br />
discouraging concept of “willpower”: It is not a “power” at all, apart from<br />
Him. My “will” is only then a “willpower,” when it is in communion with<br />
Him, and connected to other “branches,” also in Him.<br />
Modern-day psychology defines “willpower” as “the ability to resist shortterm<br />
temptations in order to meet a long-term goal.” And psychological<br />
studies have shown that several things can strengthen “willpower”: 1.<br />
Proper motivation, 2. Having a plan in place, in case of temptation, 3.<br />
Self-monitoring, and 4. Practice. This potentially-helpful information<br />
leaves several essential questions unanswered: Where does this “ability”<br />
to resist temptations come from? What is my “long-term goal”? What is<br />
“proper motivation”?<br />
Faith provides me with answers to these questions. My Lord motivates<br />
me to seek the long-term goal of salvation, and lends me a helping hand,<br />
when I abide in His grace. I go about my daily routine, with some selfexamination,<br />
a bit of reading of His word, and asking for His wisdom to<br />
“lead me not into temptation.” Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, I<br />
pray,–whatever people, places or things I encounter today.<br />
142
Change language