Anger or Forgiveness: It Is Your Choice
As the oldest of two, I have always had to lead by example. My choices were not always great. I have an anger issue at times. I know now that my anger tends to happen when several things go wrong in my life. I can honestly say that at times I am like Cain when I am angry. (6 “Why are you so angry?” the Lord asked Cain. “Why do you look so dejected? 7 You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master.”~Genesis 4:6-7). I have never wanted anyone to die when I was angry, but I would let them know I was not happy.
How we react to wrong done to us or when someone tells us about what we have done says a lot about our character and personality. I am thankful when someone gently points out that I have made a mistake, then I look at myself, and then try to change it. My response is different when someone tells me in an unkind way or they really frustrate me when they do something that I do not like. I get upset, and can get angry really fast. This is not the correct response. I am working hard to stop this behavior, but it is not easy to over come.
One thing I always try to remember is that I need to calm myself down. That is not easy. It sometimes takes me really bossing my heart to calm down. I am a huge fan of the Duggar Family. I recently bought an At The Pond cd that had them on it called 19,000 Frogs and Counting. Tony the Frog learns a big lesson on dealing with his family by watching the interactions of the Duggar children. A very special verse was said by Michelle Duggar to daughter Joy-Anna that really had a very big impact on me. She reminded Joy-Anna that it is to one's glory to overlook an offense (Proverbs 19:11). This verse has helped me calmed down really quickly along with music.
For me, it is easier to forgive if I have had a chance to calm down. There have been many times where the kids I take care of, have pushed all of my buttons and have made me really mad. I always try to tell them that I am sorry about my temper, and explain to them why I got so upset. I can only do that if I have had the chance to calm down and boss my heart to forgive their offenses.
Now a days, I have two special verses I cling to. One I have mentioned from Proverbs and one from Jeremiah. "For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope." ~Jeremiah 29:11 One day I know, I will have my biggest desire of all, a family of my own. I want to be able to be a good example of someone who bosses their heart for the good of all people.
~Amber O'Neil
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