RESPOND RATHER THAN REACT
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Sensible people control their temper; they earn respect by overlooking wrongs.
Proverbs 19:11 NLT
TODAY’S THOUGHT
Consider the possibility that we can control our anger. Regardless of the environment in which you were raised, God has given you the power to control your emotions. For some it might take more effort because of cultural programing, but it can be done.
One way to begin is to learn to give yourself “time out.” The next time your feel yourself getting angry, push the pause button. Go for a walk. Change your physical posture. Or just be quiet for a few moments while you reflect on what you are feeling and why you are feeling that way.
Rarely do we make wise decisions that are motivated by anger. Most of the time we say and do things that we regret later. Pausing to ask ourselves some simple questions will often help control our anger.
Think about trying questions like these: What do I want out of this situation? What should my response be to this issue? How will I feel about this issue tomorrow?
By pushing the pause button, we can get a better perspective and plan a better response. We can choose to respond rather than react.
When we react to other people, we are allowing them to control us. Solomon tells us, “Sensible people control their temper.” There are a lot of followers of Christ who yield control of their emotions to the wrong people. Instead of taking control of how they feel, what they say, or what they do, they allow someone else to dictate their reactions.
There will always be people in this life that seem to know how to push all the wrong buttons. We must be intentional to not allow them to dictate what we will say or do.
The Holy Spirit is waiting to help us take control of our emotions. Lean into the presence of the Holy Spirit.
TODAY’S PRAYER
Holy Spirit I ask for Your help. Please help me to control my response to difficult moments. Help me always be in control of my words and actions.
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