360 – I resolve to….

#faithbites #faithjourney resolve

Christmas is over and now I’m looking forward to 2019. While this is not the end of the year post, this is the first on resolutions. While I may look like someone who has it all together, just kidding, I’m as broken and messed up as the rest of us. One of my main issues is anger.

Today was an eye twitching, panic inducing day with the kids. From running around to Daddy I want to not listening, I had frayed nerves by the end. I was putting my youngest to sleep and she just wasn’t listening to me. I was about to yell at her to knock it off, but then it clicked. In a fraction of a second I played the whole conversation out. The ending would be her upset and yelling, me upset, and nothing good would come of it. So I stopped. I took a breath, I let it pass, then I moved onto the bedtime routine.

I can’t say that I won’t be yelling in the future, but I’m at least going to resolve to work on my anger in 2019.

Scripture

• Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. “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 4:25-27
• Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end. – Proverbs 29:11
• Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. – Colossians 3:21 ESV

Reflection

We all get angry from time to time. It’s ok to be mad when your kids don’t do what you ask them to. You are right to be angry when someone wrongs you. The problem is when that anger leads to sin. Maybe it is wrath, hateful thoughts, inflicting pain on others, or keeping it to yourself which in turn hurts yourself.

I am no expert at keeping my anger in check. When I was little, I had major anger issues. Some would say I was a light switch, not so much nowadays, but I have my moments. I see that in my youngest and I don’t want that for her. Practice what you preach. So I need to be better. I therefore resolve to do better.

Charge

As the year draws to a close, do you have issues with anger? Are you angry with someone and don’t know how to handle it? Maybe you can resolve to handle your anger better. The first step is when anger comes, take a deep breath. You will be surprised by how much that deep breath helps. And if it doesn’t, take another. Baby steps towards handling your anger better.

Lord, help me in my anger management. Let my anger lead me to positive action and not towards sin. Let me be an example for my children on how to deal with anger so they break the cycle.