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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: CONTROL (02/18/21)
It happened again. She lost control. All she wanted was just for him to see her side of things. But as usual he won’t listen or value her opinion. Her frustration led her to get angry. So angry she took the bottle of almonds and pelted it across the room. The bottle shattered! and all the almonds spilled on the kitchen floor, ruined.

Her actions caused him to get angry too which led to a heated argument. Unable to take it anymore she ran to the bedroom and hurled herself on the bed and had a good cry.

A few hours later they tried to work things out. She apologized only because she realized she lost, and her opinion would not matter anyway. The cry helped her feel somewhat better, but she knew the only thing to bring her true peace was to let go and God.

Emotions are immensely powerful, and they affect how we think and act. If we can successfully control our emotions rather than allow them to control us, our lives will take on a whole new meaning.

There is a place for emotions, but we need to identify how they fit into the situation we may be facing at the time. Whatever the emotion there is a need to be conscious of what is triggering it and take steps to control it. Therefore, to avoid any destructive behavior, we must practice self-control.

Anger is a particularly destructive behavior. It causes people to say or do hurtful and harmful things that they later regret. Learning self-control means taking time to visualize the possible consequences, and this can help in preventing us from doing or saying something we will later regret. Easier said than done, but there is something else we can do to help us develop self-control.

The bible tells us that “a person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls”. Proverbs 25:28 NLT.

Without self-control our walls become broken down leaving us defenseless. We will be exposed to our enemies, that is our weaknesses. We are then defeated, leaving us broken and in ruins. Destroyed mentally and spiritually.

So what do we do? We pray and ask for the Holy Spirit’s help. After all, we are told that the Holy Spirit produces the fruit of self-control (Galatians 5:23). As believers we must allow the Holy Spirit to lead us in every aspect of our lives and this includes helping us to control our emotions.

After she let go and let God, she prayed this prayer.

Almighty God, tonight I ask for forgiveness for my behavior on Friday evening. I felt so much frustration because I think he made no attempt to see my point of view. You know how he is, Lord. It is his views and opinions that are always right, and he respects no-one’s else’s especially mine. At least that’s how I feel.

That, together with all the pent-up emotional feelings I had during the week, I just exploded. Lord, I don’t want to be angry or get angry and throw things. I hate doing it. But it happens because he is so hard-headed and trying to get through to him is so hard. I am not making an excuse or blaming him it’s just reality. He just sees things in his own perspective and does not take time to understand anyone else’s, or mine especially.

I have been keeping my distance not because I am angry at him, but because I don’t want to get angry at him. It is better to just agree with him rather than arguing with him. I think it is a bit unfair because I feel I have a right to my opinion, and it should be respected. But, if it’s the only way to avoid getting angry to the point of throwing things, I will humble myself and just agree.

I don’t know if I can keep up that attitude, but Lord, I don’t like getting mad. Most of the time I try to avoid conflict, but it is the unexpected little things that cause unnecessary friction.

Lord, just help me get through those days when I am trying to communicate, and he just does not want to hear my side or perspective. Help me to keep calm and just accept it makes no sense trying to talk with him. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

She didn’t lose control anymore.
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This article has been read 363 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Linda Lawrence 
02/25/21
A very good start to the story. The middle seemed to leave the story behind and turn into a lesson. Then the story picked up again with the prayer. I did not find the last sentence convincing. You might take the lesson from the middle and turn them into a show of how this wife discovered these truths and applied them gradually toward not losing control. This piece is worth taking the time to rewrite and self-edit. Keep writing:-).
Lisa Marcelina
02/26/21
Thank you for your critique, it is greatly appreciated.
C D Swanson 
02/28/21
Thank you for sharing your experience with us.

We are all human, and we all fall short, only One is perfect! But He loves us anyway, isn't that great?

But I love how you spoke from your heart to the LORD and He listened and helped you.

Good message

Blessings~