Annoyance and Anger

#175of365 #FaithBites #FaithJourney # Annoyance

Children are a blessing from God. They show us the best and the worst parts of ourselves. We love them, cherish them, discipline them, and hopefully, they turn into great God-Loving adults. For anyone who is a parent or knows a parent or has seen a child have a breakdown in the middle of the store, knows that raising children is not easy. This is one of the most exciting and challenging jobs we can have. God has chosen us to take on these roles to bring up children in his word and treat them how to be leaders in society. I know that sounds all well and good, but when your child won’t be quiet, is screaming their head off, and you can even think, it hurts.

At first, you get annoyed, then you get angry. All you want is some peace and quiet. Just a few minutes of your child doing something on their own or with their siblings that isn’t going to drive you insane. When that doesn’t happen, anger can creep in. Today, my youngest decided to have a complete breakdown in the car. She has health issues and some of this is attributed to that, and while I know that, it can be hard. There is nothing like trying to order in a drive-through when a child is screaming, hitting, and throwing. I know how my father would react to that and I try not to react that way.

We forgive our children over and over and over. We give them love, honor, and respect. Being a parent is no easy calling. I know no perfect parent when judged by the world’s standards, but when judged by what God want’s us to do, they are perfect for that child. I didn’t have perfect parents, and I know I am not, but I try to take that anger and annoyance and turn it back into forgiveness and love.

Scripture on Annoyance and Anger

“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power,love and self-discipline.” – 2 Timothy 1:7

“In your anger do not sin”:]: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold.” – Ephesians 4:26-27

“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” – 2 Corinthians 12:9

Reflection and Charge

Power, Love, and Self-discipline and not timidity are what God gives us. He gave us the strength to raise a child in a giving and loving manner. He gave us anger to us, not to Sin but to turn into action. This isn’t easy at all. One lesson someone told me about marriage was never go to bed angry. I didn’t know that this is a paraphrase of the Ephesians message. I try to step away when angered or annoyed. It doesn’t always happen and that annoyance and anger can be a vicious cycle. But, when that does happen, I try to forgive and be forgiven. We ask for forgiveness at our house a lot. Forgiveness doesn’t mean forgetting but it does mean forgiving.

As we are learning about in our church series, the Lord’s grace is sufficient. We need to ask for it. We are weak and fail over and over again. Having a child yell at you, scream at you, and hit you, then wants to hug and love on you is hard. I am weak and I will continually boast about my weakness so that Christ’s power may rest on me. While I may be the one writing FaithBites, I am far from perfect. I am as broken and faulted as anyone. I hold onto the Lord and his Grace through all the days of my life.

My child is in an up mood right now, time to go play with her, even though I am a bit annoyed at your behavior and still have some anger. I pray that the Lord gives me grace and serenity.

Are you ready to admit your annoyance and anger at life? Are you willing to see that the power of Christ is perfect in your weakness? Are you willing to ask for help when those days get too difficult?

I am ready and willing with the help of God.