Becoming Slow to Anger

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I stood in front of my closet with fists closed and jaws clenched. “OOOOH! GRRRR!” I said. In a moment my husband appeared. Looking puzzled.

“What’s the matter?” he asked in a soft voice.
“Nothing! I’m just angry.”
“Can I help? Do you want to talk?”
“No. I’m learning to become slow to anger.”

I knew if I opened up my mouth right then, my words would wound not heal. I needed to take a few breaths and calm myself. Then, I could think rationally. I did so. It helped.

With a small group of friends who meet in our home, my husband and I are leading a study on the Book of James. Becoming slow to anger, slow to speak, and quick to listen is one of our goals.

In order to reach this goal, it helps me to know that I’m not alone. I don’t often express anger publically. At home it’s different. My husband is a good listener. I’m thankful for that, but sometimes it’s better if I take a long walk. John doesn’t need to hear about my dissatisfaction and discontent. I need to as an old hymn says, “Have a little talk with Jesus.”

I need to practice what I wrote about in my book Emotional Freedom in a chapter titled, “Choose Self-control and Become Productive”.

I’m now working on a sequel to that book. It’s about replacing guilt with faith, fear with love, and shame with hope. Would you pray for me as I write?

Please pray that I would increase in the spirit-fruit of self-control so that I can complete my new manuscript in confidence and peace.