TEMPER .... Quick or Slow???

(Titus, Chapter 2:Verses 1-15)
You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine. Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance.

Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.

Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled. In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.

Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.

Where do you stand on this ... do you blow your top ... or are you able to remain calm in the realm of anger? This is something that I seem to continually have trouble with. Despite what some might think, I have a hard time keeping an even keel. I have things that get on my nerves. I try to deal with them at once while I'm still under control. Then, either something else happens to test my patience or the original annoyance continues because my request has been ignored. At this point I find myself being pushed to the brink ... I try to calm down but then something I really really don't want to hear at that point is said and I loose it. What happens, I usually end up making foolish, unrealistic threats that allow those around me to know that I'm upset ... but these threats make it hard for them to take what I'm saying serious. By now you probably know that I'm talking about dealing with teenagers.

I read the above section of scripture this morning and it hit home to me. I spend way to much time giving out warns of what I want and mean and much less time leading by example. If I want my kids to grow up to be obedient, ready to do good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward those around them ... then I need to be doing this myself. I need to act like this towards them and to everyone around me. I need to be more self-controlled so that I can teach self-control. In everything I do, I need to set the example by doing what is good. In my teaching I need to show integrity, seriousness and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned (or ignored). If I can lead by this example, then those who oppose me shall feel ashamed because they will have nothing bad to say about me or my actions.

I also have to remember, when I get to that boiling point and feel that it's time to explode ... rather then blow, I need to stop and pray to God ... pray that he help me get my bearings ... and them calmly address the situation. Try this ... I think you will be amazed at what happens!!!

Through your faith in God, all things are possible!!! Amen.