The virtue of temperance or moderation is essential to loving God.  To love God above all things, our desires and enjoyment of everything else need to be under control.  Temperance brings order and health to the soul, freeing it to give God and others more importance.  Performing small acts of self denial, thereby restraining our thirst for pleasure, gives us a chance to find our joy and happiness in God himself.  https://comeawaybyyourselves.com