…so are the Days of our Lives. I know I’m not the only one who recognizes the theme song to the opening of this popular daytime drama. I remember many days coming home from high school to catch up on Roman and Marlena, Steve and Kayla, and who can forget Frankie and Jennifer?

It baffles me how these fictional characters managed prestigious careers as doctors, lawyers and psychologists, yet never went to work. They looked beautiful and glamorous whether they were incarcerated for a crime they didn’t commit, or trapped at the bottom of a thirty foot well. Their lives were made up of one crisis after the other, yet they always seemed to forge ahead no matter the circumstances around them. I’m sure if I had led the life of any one of them I would now be locked up in a green padded room in the psych ward. (Truth be told, we might feel a little better about our own lives if we turned on a daytime drama now and then.)

As I have matured (relatively speaking) I’ve realized that these characters I watched day in and day out in my youth were missing the one thing that could have saved them from many drastic situations. What they needed was a little self-control.

Let’s back track a bit to an ancient soap opera that unfolds in the book of Genesis 39. Meet Joseph, a handsome, strong, and very talented man. He is one of the 12 sons of Jacob, and probably the favorite. This, of course, bothers the other 11 brothers, so out of jealousy; they sell Joseph to slave traders.

Now meet Potiphar. He is the captain of Pharaoh’s royal guard. He is wealthy, with a large home and a wife that has a little too much time on her hands. Potiphar buys Joseph from the slave traders. In time, Potiphar becomes very pleased with Joseph. He could see the Lord was with him and gave him success in everything he did. So Potiphar places Joseph in charge of his household and entrusts him with everything he owns (Genesis 39:4).

Well, as many soap opera storylines go, temptation looms just around the corner for Joseph. Potiphar’s wife has her eyes on the handsome young man. She tries many times to seduce Joseph, but he resists every time.

“My master (Potiphar) has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” Genesis 39:9

Out of anger and spite, Potiphar’s wife accuses Joseph of taking advantage of her. Potiphar believes his wife and Joseph goes to prison.

The story does not end there though. God honored Joseph for his self control and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. In time, the warden placed Joseph in charge of all the other prisoners. And, for real interesting reading, may I suggest you read on in Genesis. This was only the beginning for Joseph because later he would be placed in charge over all of Egypt.

“Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.” 1 Peter 1:13-14

Self control does not happen naturally. It is deliberate. It is a decision to fix our minds on what is holy. As believers we live in tough times. We are constantly bombarded by temptation where we must exhibit an extreme amount of self control. But don’t lose hope. When we are fully submitted to God and release every area of our life to Him, it becomes difficult to lose control.

“For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ.” Titus 2:11-13