Galatians 5:16, 17  
I say, then, walk by the Spirit and you will certainly not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you don’t do what you want. (CSB)

So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. (NLT)

My counsel is this: Live freely, animated and motivated by God’s Spirit. Then you won’t feed the compulsions of selfishness. For there is a root of sinful self-interest in us that is at odds with a free spirit, just as the free spirit is incompatible with selfishness. These two ways of life are contrary to each other, so that you cannot live at times one way and at times another way according to how you feel on any given day. Why don’t you choose to be led by the Spirit and so escape the erratic compulsions of a law-dominated existence? (MSG)

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Spirit-filled living is focused, fruitful, and effective living. It is not a matter of out-of-control contortion or babbling. It is life empowered to honor God and serve others. Spirit-filled people are not strange. Instead, they are the most disciplined and joyful people you will know. 

Those who do not live Spirit-filled lives look more and more like what is described in verses 19-21. Those who live Spirit-filled lives demonstrate the characteristics found in verses 22 and 23:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. The law is not against such things.
‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5‬:‭22‬-‭23‬ ‭CSB‬‬

In other words, Spirit-filled people look more and more like Jesus. They reflect more and more of our Father in Heaven. 

When we invite God to lead our lives day by day, he provides the capacities we need for whatever we face along the way. 

A good habit to create is asking God to fill, empower, and control your life. This shifts how we see, hear, and respond. This alters how we think and feel. This adds resources we need to live maximized lives. 

Here is a good daily prayer to pray: Our Father, please fill me with your Holy Spirit. Empower me for all that is ahead of me today, all that I can see, and all that I cannot. Control my thoughts and feelings, my words and my work. I want to live in the grip of your grace and move at the impulse of your will. Amen.

God told Abraham he was blessed to be a blessing. (See Genesis 12:1-4.) God also told him to “walk before me faithfully and be blameless.” (See Genesis 17:1.) God wants to bless you to be a blessing. He wants you to live a life he can bless. He wants to fill, empower, and direct you in a manner that maximizes your life. 

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I will live a maximized life.

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Our Father, please fill me with your Holy Spirit. Empower me for all that is ahead of me today, all that I can see, and all that I cannot. Control my thoughts and feelings, my words and my work. I want to live in the grip of your grace and move at the impulse of your will. Amen.