And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.
Proverbs 16:32
Lost of control takes many forms. You cannot stand noise; you fly into anger at being interrupted at whatever you are doing, you get enraged if your desires ir your opinions are crossed in the slightest. Perhaps up to now you have been “easy” with your self when it comes to temper and loss of control. You probably have said: “Oh I am so high-strung” or: Who wouldn’t get angry?”
One of the most frequent signs of coming temper is the feeling that you will never be able to accomplish what you have to do. A man will never finish his work, and may as well give up. A woman will feel that no matter how she works in the house, more and more work stretches on endlessly. A mother will feel that no matter her children will never stop being disobedient and noisy. This feeling of “endlessness” is one of the largest warning signals. Look for it in yourself.
Another warning signal is when you find it impossible to make up your mind. You seen tugged one way or the other. Should you go here or there? What should you say or do? Should you do this or that? You can’t make up your mind. This is a warning signal of temper ahead.
A third warning signal is a general feeling of anger. You aren’t angry at anyone in [particular just yet but just angry in general. You say “I got out of bed with the wrong foot this morning.” You feel angry about something in the news. You feel angry about something a total stranger said or did. You feel angry about some condition you notice in the or on the street. It is only step from feeling angry in general to feeling angry about someone in particular.
All these things are storm warning. They are signs of approaching battle. And when you find a battle coming, the wise things is to “post a guard”
If you really want God to help you control your temoer and emotions, here is the way to start. When you notice any of these danger signals, when you start to feel nervous and irritable or angry over trifles-do this simple thing;
Drop whatever you are doing, if you can and give yourself a rest. If you can, lie down and deliberately drive all thought from your mind. At first you may toss and turn, but gradually peace will come. But whether in your room or anywhere else, turn your thought to God.
from: WITH GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE, 1988
