Reset The Day

A person without self-control is like a city with broken-down walls.

“MOMMMMMMMMM!”

Glancing at the clock, I winced. Someone had fallen back asleep after their alarm went off and was desperately late getting ready for school. I hadn’t noticed that I was missing a loved one at the breakfast table, and now we were in a mad scramble with big emotions. And—as caretakers know—the frequency of missing socks is directly tied to elevated stress levels when trying to get everyone ready and out the door.

We’ve all been the person who misjudged time or missed an alarm. The rush of panicked adrenaline quickly morphs into intense frustration as we face disrupted expectations and plans, unexpectedly forced to choose what gets done and what is left undone. It’s easy (and natural) to tip into anger at ourselves and others in our rushed recrimination. And while being momentarily angry is not sinful, Scripture cautions against stoking the flames of our out-of-control state.

As I gathered my flustered loved one into a mama-bear hug just before we jumped into the car, I whispered the same words I tell myself under similar circumstances: “Take a deep breath and reset. Do not let this set the tone for your entire day.” And then I prayed, intentionally thanking God for several good things about the morning. As I stepped back, releasing my young adult, I received a tremulous smile and a whispered apology.

Our enemy wants us out of control. When our negative emotions are running high and hot, we open ourselves to bad decision-making and foolish impulses. Like a city with broken outer walls, being emotionally agitated lowers our defenses and makes us vulnerable to the enemy’s attacks—whether they be lies in the form of negative thoughts or whether they be behaviors we know are not pleasing to God.

Understanding this vulnerability is powerful. When we find ourselves tipping into being emotionally out of control, our best option is a prayerful pause and intentional gratitude, asking God to help us reset as we express thankfulness. And he does. He has given us the gift of self-control. And as we exercise that gift, it becomes easier to maintain. Emotions, despite their intensity, should not dictate what children of the Most High God say or do.

Julie

Today’s Act of Gratitude

Make a pact with a loved one to practice a prayerful pause and intentional gratitude when emotions are running hot.