Deep within us, there is a something which even God does not control--our will. It is for this reason that the Bible teaches us God gave free will to mankind; God will never force anyone! This mighty gift is really two-edged: it can be a power for good or ill.
Nowadays, people enjoy greater freedom and more rights than ever before in the history of humankind. In no country may anyone dictate an individual's religious practices, beliefs, or ways of life. Such is the case when someone decides to cut out a bad habit. It isn't something anything can force upon you; it all depends on whether or not your will prevails.
One of my friends provides a graphic illustration of this. He smoked for years, and quitting seemed out of the question. But when he really made up his mind to give up, his will was his mightiest weapon. It was hard -- he encountered longings for cigarettes, failures and temptations.
However with determination, help from others and his new-found strength of will he finally won out. This story tells us an important truth: your will is really the highest tool for changing yourself, better than anything else. Whenever you are fully determined to change a habit or lifestyle, no external force can stop it from happening.
But this power brings with it responsibility. Where our will carries us it will either build us up or send us into unwholesome paths. That is why it is so necessary to keep our will strong and uplifted by things which encourage us such as prayer, God's Word, good companions and repeated statements from successful people.
These strengthen the spirit and help our wills to beat the body. Do not underestimate the potential within you. Your will is a powerful force: by using it wisely, you can transform your life in ways impossible to imagine. Let yours be a power for good.
All images are from Pixabay