Many of our external victories and failures are preceded by internal private victories and failures, self-control being one of them. Self-control is also a segment of the fruit of the Spirit. Love covers a multitude of sins because if we are focused on loving God and loving our neighbor as Jesus loved us, we will not have time to see the offense. Rather than criticizing others, we should offer them encouragement and grace.

We cannot win the private battles on our own or we would have done so long ago. What can I do differently to win this battle? Who has fought a similar battle and won?

The walls of a city protect it. We protect what we value most. Which do I value more, others' opinion of me or winning my internal battles?

In golf, a poor swing results in a slice, a whiff, or a divot. How do I want others to respond when I whiff? How do I respond when my neighbor digs a big divot?