IRRITATIONS OF LIFE

Call them what you like. Annoyances, pet peeves, distractions, but most everyone at one time or another has experienced something in life that rubs them the wrong way. What are we as believers to do about this? Are we to be "like the world" and simply spout off, get agitated, or become "righteously indignant" or do we hold our tongue and pray? Yes we all have feelings and emotions but it is that fruit of the spirit called "self control" that we need to learn to develop in our life if things or people irritate you to the point you do not feel "Christian". I must admit I have spoken up in a kind way a couple times at a movie theater when the people behind me insisted on talking instead of watching the movie.

Many times it is better to overlook something than to cause a confrontation. Proverbs 19:11(NIV) reminds us 'A person's wisdom yields patience, it is to one's glory to overlook an offense.' Our mouth comes into play here as well as our emotions often cause us to not think and say things we regret later. Proverbs 14:29(NIV) says 'Whoever is patient has great understanding but one who is quick tempered displays folly.'

Do you choose to be foolish or wise?

PRAYER: I want to be able to be a shining light for you Jesus wherever I go. To do this I need to control my thoughts, my emotions, and my mouth. Give me the self control needed to live a life pleasing to you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

THE 24 HOUR RULE

How many times in your life have you said or done something on the impulse and wish you could take it back? I know I have several times. The mouth and not thinking can really cause trouble,embarrassment, and hurt feelings.

It was suggested to me that before you react to a situation and embarrass yourself maybe give it at least a 24 hour period as more than likely you will not say or do what you did since you were reacting on impulse.

What is needed here? Patience and prayer are two things that come to mind. Galatians 5:22-23 says 'But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.' When you pray for patience, look out, because some "tests" may come your way. Self control can help you with not speaking when you should be quiet.

People acting on impulse can send a letter that they wish they could take back of the mailbox at the post office. Maybe before you had time to really think about something you can not hold your tongue. Emails,texts and voice mails can be left and the next day you say "I wish I could take it back!' Ouch!

Below are some verses from Proverbs that deal with speaking when we should remain quiet at least for a 24 Hour period.

Proverbs 13:3(NLT) 'Those who control their tongue will have a long life, opening your mouth can ruin everything.'

Proverbs 21:23(NIV) 'Those who guard their mouth and tongue keep their life from calamity.'

Proverbs 18:21(NIV) 'The tongue has the power of death and life and those who love it will eat it it's fruit.'

Proverbs 10:19(NIV) 'Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues.'

Proverbs 17:27(NIV) 'The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint,and whoever is understanding is even tempered.'

Proverbs 15:28(NIV) 'The heart of the righteous weighs its' answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.'

Proverbs 29:11(AKJV) 'A fool utters all his mind but a wise man keeps it till afterward.'

So you see that the Bible has much to say about our mouth and what comes out of it. When you have time someday do a word search in The Bible about words and the tongue. There are many more where the ones above came from.

PRAYER: Lord I need self control only you can give. I choose to speak wisely and not out of impulse. Help me stop and wait and think what I am about to say and if there is no goodness in it to refrain from opening my mouth. Help the words I say only bring glory to you. In Jesus' name. Amen!

24 HOURS..THE WAITING GAME

Why is it many people hate to wait? We wait in line for tickets to a
movie. We have to wait for test results. If you live in a big city you
might have to wait on the bus, a cab, or the subway. We have to be

patient for many things in life. It is necessary to wait to build up

enough savings to buy a new car or a house. Being hasty or in a rush
often times can cause trouble. We have to wait as it is part of life.

Recently in my blogs I have dealt with words and our speech. In the
Bible there is much to be found about the result of speaking in haste
or with impatience. Proverbs 29:20(NIV) says 'Do you see a man who
speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than him.' No one I
know of likes to be called foolish or a fool. It is a derogatory term
yet here in the pages of scripture it says speaking in haste is
foolish! James 1:19(NIV) reminds us 'My dear brothers take note of
this. Let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get
angry.' Think about that for a moment. That anger needs to be tamed
to as it says in Ecclesiastes 7:9(NIV) 'Do not be quickly provoked in
your spirit as anger rests in the bosom of fools.' In Proverbs
14:29(NIV) it says 'A patient man has great understanding but a quick
tempered man displays folly.'

Have you ever been guilty at spewing forth words either face to face

or by email or texts that are not well thought out and can cause hurt,

misunderstanding or anger? It certainly is never intentional. We just

do not know how our words are going to be received. So this is where
today's title comes from. Recently a dear friend told me you should
wait at least 24 hours before sending a letter or an email as you may
not feel the same way tomorrow as when you wrote it therefore allowing
you time to process your emotions and have a calmer spirit. I think

that is excellent advice!

What about you? Are you impulsive and have you ever spewed a word or
two forth on email, snail mail, or a text then wish you hadn't? It
may be hard to wait but patience is one of the fruits of the spirit
mentioned in Galatians 5:22-23. Take a moment and read it.

Impulsive, hasty with words, a fool? Maybe it is time to really ask
God to help you control what you say and how you say it. In the
meantime why not work on showing love to all those you come in contact
with.

Psalm 19:14(NIV) 'Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my
heart be acceptable in your sight oh Lord my strength and my
redeemer.'

PRAYER: Lord I want to glorify and bring honor to you in all that I
say and do. Forgive me for the times I have been foolish with my words
and maybe hurt someone. Father it is my desire to let what comes from
my mouth be an example and not a hindrance. Help me Lord. In Jesus'
name. Amen.

SELF PITY MONSTER

Here it comes again. Hurt feelings. Feeling sorry for self. Imagining
things that are not even happening. Feeling that someone is thinking
something about you that they aren't. Sounds pretty stupid to someone
who has not had it happen to them but take my word for it, this
monster is not a thing you want to visit you,ever!

When this ugly "self pity monster" attacks you need to get a grip
before you open your mouth or do something you will regret later. The
word "self" is very prominent. Thinking of yourself. Do you meddle
where you should not? Perhaps your mind starts thinking things that
are not even occurring? It is easy to slump into worry, pity, and
sadness if not focused on the goodness of the Lord.

It has been said when this "monster" attacks that maybe one thing is
you have too much time on your hands. The thing to do is occupy your
thoughts somewhere else. Once again behind this monster is ugly old
Satan who wants us to worry, fret, and think things that are not true
thus getting us to say stupid things we regret and then start worrying
why we did it. So staying busy is a really good thing!! Might I
suggest prayer first and foremost as a remedy for this malady.

Next we need to get into the word of God and stay in the word of God.
Reading and meditating on God's word, The Bible, will get your mind
somewhere else. Start by praising Jesus for who he is and thanking
Him. Think of ways you can maybe help another person and then your
own little "pity monster" will have no space to sit near you and
torment you. In your prayer time, ask God to take away the need to
feel self pity. When "self" is occupying the "throne" it is more
difficult to let the Lord Jesus Christ be king.

You will be bombarded if this has been a weakness but hang in there
and keep seeking Jesus to help you get this "monster" out of your life
forever!

Phillipians 4:8(NIV) reminds us 'Finally brother, whatever is true,
whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is
lovely, whatever is admirable-if tangy thing is excellent or
praiseworthy-think about such things.' There you have, the remedy for
getting your mind off yourself.

PRAYER: Father I do not mean to ever focus on myself as I know it is a
formula for disaster. The word selfish comes from self. Help me
remember that when I start to feel the pity monster attacking me and
run to you with open arms. It is my desire to have this monster never
visit me again and with your help Lord I can and will be successful.
In Jesus' name. Amen.

 

 

 

SELF CONTROL...JUST DO IT OKAY?

Does anyone reading this have a self control problem? Let's say for instance in the area of eating. Do you eat too much and then are sorry about it and start to gain weight? Perhaps it is in talking. Is your problem perhaps with your mouth saying something when it would have better been left unsaid. Maybe it is in the area of discipline being able to do tasks you need to do such as cleaning house, finishing a project, doing homework or studies, or just getting to the gym to fit a daily workout in so your 'temple of God' (your body) stays in shape. Perhaps self control is required when driving so you do not into an instance of road rage. Whatever it is self control is vitally important for leading a happy, healthy, productive life.

What does the Bible  have to say about this area? 1 Peter 1:13 tells us "Therefore prepare your minds for action, be self controlled. Set your hope fully on the grace to be given to you when Christ is revealed." 1 Thessalonians 5:6 says " and then not let us be like others who are asleep, but let us be alert and self controlled."  Proverbs 25:28 says "a man without self control is like a city broken into and left without walls." Galatians 5:22-23 says "but the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control, against such things there is no law."  Proverbs 16:32 says "Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty. And he who rules his spirit better than he who takes a city." 1 Peter 4:7 says" the end of all things is at hand, therefore be self controlled and sober minded for the sake of your prayers."

There are many more verses but you get the idea. It is vitally important as a believer to set a good example and to get your self under control for your own good and to be an effective witness for the kingdom of God.

Falling under this same area would be the self control of disciplining yourself to not just squeeze Christ  into your day but to build your day around Him. Why not try it?

 PRAYER: Lord God I thank you for your love for me. When I mess up when I am out of control you are there ready to forgive and give me a second chance. If only humans were the same way. Help me Lord to have self control in every area of my life and give me the strength I need to cope with difficult situations in my life that may cause me to lose control. In Jesus name. Amen.

SIMMER DOWN NOW, YOU HEAR!!

Does anyone out there have trouble waiting and being calm? It is easy to get excited about stuff but sometimes we need to 'simmer down now' and be calm and not overreact to things or get excited and impulsive and do or say something we may regret later. Overreacting without thinking, planning or praying can backfire. Acting on something on spur of moment  is not good. For instance in a business deal it is best to not rush to judgment but to get all the facts. When you are buying a house you shop around and not act impulsively or you may make a bad decision. Telemarketers prey on impulsive people who do not think and end up whipping out the plastic and running up bills and spending money they do not have on something they do not need.

Sometimes this rushing into things can take the form not only of signing a contract we have not read thoroughly but it could be in the form of chattering away with our mouth or clicking on those computer keys. Once something is said it is gone forever.

Misunderstandings can occur and hurt feelings and in some cases it takes quite awhile to undo misspoken words. Sometimes the words were spoken with no harm intended but were taken out of context by the receiver. Some people may get angry and not want to forgive a mistake. Those are people I feel sorry for as that is not what God would want. He wants love, restoration, mercy and reconciliation. But he also wants us to be careful with our impatience and flapping tongue which often can be misunderstood or be a perfectly honest totally innocent mistake.

Waiting and patience are keys to having a happy, productive, peaceful, stress and worry free life.  'Jumping the gun' leads to trouble in many areas.

Ecclesiastes 5:2 says "Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few." Proverbs 10:19 says "When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise." Isaiah 40:31 says "but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."Be patient. Hang in there. Hebrews 12:3 says "Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart." Psalm 37:7 tells us "Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes."

Are you able to use the fruit of the spirit of self control to help you wait for things in God's time? If not, call on God as He can heal and deliver.

PRAYER:  Lord at times I get impulsive and impatient and I need to learn to relax, let go, and let you take the controls of my life. Help me slow down and wait for you and be patient when praying to wait for your perfect timing for answers. Help me not be hasty with my mouth as well. Help what I do and say bring glory to you. In Jesus name,amen.

Note: Got idea for title from friend at first church we went to here in Huntsville who always said "Simmer Down Now". Thanks Robin!

HOLD THAT TONGUE!!

Do you sometimes feel you just want to give someone a piece of your mind? You feel angry for being wronged in some way perhaps be it by a stranger, friend or family member? You feel it is your 'right' to get that last word and consequently maybe have won the 'battle'. But really is it a good thing to keep the fire of arguments going by spouting off to someone? Even in anger over some minor issue if we are not careful and do not 'engage our brain' first we may end up regretting what we say or even, in this electronic age, what we text or email to someone. Be careful and let your words be few. Do not make assumptions about things or jump to conclusions then say something that you will regret later. It is so easy to just talk that is why we have to be ever so careful to think, think, think before we 'babble' on.

Do you have a tongue problem? Do you feel you want or need to get the last word in to prove your point? Getting anger under control is part of controlling what randomly pops out of our mouth. If we can learn to live in peace with everyone then we are less likely to just spew forth unnecessary words from our mouth.

Learn to have self control. Overlook an offense. Do not feel you have to 'talk last'.  Walk away from a potential conflict situation. Pray for whoever it is that is starting to stoke fires to get 'tongue battles' going. Ecclesiastes 5:2 says "Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few." In James 1:19 there is an awesome scripture which should be memorized by newlyweds and followed and it says "This you know, my beloved brethren. But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger." There would be allot less legal battles between people if this verse was followed. Give up your right to be angry and move on. Turn the other cheek. Walk away.

Proverbs 16:32 says "Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city." Proverbs 17:27 says "A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered." Ecclesiastes 7:9 says "Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools". Pursue a peaceful spirit and get the urge to retaliate under control. Psalm 34:14 says "Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it."

Proverbs 10:19 says "When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise." Do you want to be wise or a fool? God can help you maintain peace so let Him.

PRAYER: Lord I want to be careful what I say. Even when I have been hurt or offended help me to know it is not your desire for me to be arguing back and forth or trying to hurt the person who hurt me. Help my Lord instead pray for the person who hurt me. Thanks that I have the ability to do this with your help. In Jesus Name. Amen. 

Click on link below to enjoy a wonderful worship song. Play it while you are reading this.
http://youtu.be/12z4dvc2kjo