Chapter 14 – Behavior 11 – Emotional Habits - Control Your Temper

Temper is a symptom – self is the disease.

We live in an imperfect world with constant demands and great expectations.  In this crazy thing we call life, it is easy to become angry & lose our peace.  Joyce tells us we can develop the habit of staying peaceful.  We are in control of our temper – it is our choice to make.

I have told you before how God is amazing me by tying together this study with other things I ready.   One of my favorite daily reads is Jesus Calling by Sarah Young.  Yesterday, the topic was self pity.  Today’s message was “Come away with me for a while.  The world with it’s non-stop demands can be put on hold.”  On July 19, it says “Bring me all your feelings, even the ones you wish you didn’t have”.  It goes on to say that feelings per se are not sinful, but they can be temptations to sin.

I am not an angry person but when stressed and the demands of life overwhelm me, it is easy for me to lose my temper.   By spending time daily with God, we can bring our emotions into His light where He will be help us deal with them.   Spending time with God should be our highest priority and our deepest joy.

Today as you struggle to hold your temper, stop, count to 10 and breathe deeply.  Call out to God for his help.  Learning to live in peace is not only good for those around you but also for your health. 

The following health problems can result from unmanaged anger:

• Headaches
• Digestive issues
• Insomnia
• Increased anxiety
• Depression
• Skin Issues
• Heart Attack
• Stroke

If stress is causing you to experience anger or is making "controlling your temper" harder to do, first take it to God but also try adding exercise to your daily routine.  Regular exercise can improve the mood and reduce stress levels.

Father, your love for us is amazing.  I thank you for Your word which is a light for our path in our daily lives.  Father may we spend time daily with you and meditating on the bible.  We know that our words can do so much harm.  Help us to control our temper.  You have called us to love one another as you love us.  Help us to do just that by following the perfect example of Jesus Christ.  I thank you for this study and for this group of women.  Please bless each of their homes this week.  In Jesus name, Amen.

Until next week!

Lots of love,

Melanie