Your Future Self
Your future self will always see your present self as unwise and immature. That means you are currently a fool right now.
– Tim Keller
I just finished Drew Dyck’s latest book, “Your Future Self Will Thank You: Secrets to Self-Control from the Bible & Brain Science”. There is so much good stuff in this book, so I decided to share some of the nuggets through a series of blog posts about self-control.
Self-control isn’t just one good character trait, a nice addition to the pantheon of virtues. It’s foundation. Not because it’s more important than other virtues, but because the others rely upon it.
– Drew Dyck
A foundational virtue. Theologian Thomas Aquinas called it a cardinal virtue. Philo said, “Having first laid down self-control as a foundation for the soul, they build the other virtues on it.”
Dyck’s definition of self-control: “the ability to do the right thing, even when you don’t feel like it.”
Here is the thing: I’m not good with self-control, as evidenced by so many goals and resolutions that have been missed. Or take a look at my use of technology which borders on an addiction. So I need help with self-control and I want to start a conversation about this virtue.
Now more than ever, one moment can destroy – in one day – your life’s work. The essential virtue: self-control. You can have all the talent in the world, and draw a ton of attention for it, but if your ability is not matched by strong character, you are in a precarious place.”
– Owen Strachan
How are you with self-control? How are you with discipline? How would your future self evaluate your current wisdom?