Temper – Temper

I went fishing this weekend and things did not go very smoothly. I had big problems catching bait, the fish were not biting very well, and my equipment problems were at times monumental. I was under pressure to catch fish as my son and his wife were visiting and I wanted badly for them to catch fish in numbers that I have caught them in the Keys, (and did not want to hear him ragging me about it for the next several weeks). Unfortunately he came right during a cold front passing through and conditions were not optimum.



The trip was problematic and nerves were on edge. I was reminded about the patience of Job and the opposite of it when my wife shocked us all and let go with an oath that would embarrass a sailor and was swearing at me with all her energy because I had hit a big wave, (by accident), and jarred her somewhat. I was taking her to task about the Christian example and how she was not setting it when she reminded me what I had said earlier when I could not get my anchor, (which had been bent beyond recognition on an earlier trip), to hold properly.



Touch! We both reached a point whereby we let our tempers overcome us. We both felt like idiots for doing it. Personally I hate to lose my temper for any reason, much less a family oriented outing going fishing. I particularly detest it when I use profanity whether I am alone or especially when I am around others. Losing control of my temper is something that I have struggled with for years. I used to wear a thick rubber band and every time I used profanity I would snap my wrist. (This method will bring tears to your eyes.) I nearly developed calluses before I abandoned this technique, and yet it had no lasting effect. The most effective way I have found of combating losing my temper is embarrassment and shame. I am embarrassed that I am so ignorant to lose my temper and to use profanity. I am also ashamed that I let the Lord down and entirely abandoned setting a Christian example.



Our strength comes from the Lord. If our strength fails us, then we need to draw closer to Him and ask Him to empower us to defeat our adversary satan, who undoubtedly delighted in hearing what I had to say about my anchoring system and what my wife had to say about me driving too fast through rough waves…I hate to let the Lord down, but seem to do it more often than I want. I hope that you have the patience of Job. If not, ask God to deliver more strength during those times that you feel like you are just going to explode. Otherwise you will end up just like me lamenting the fact that something has been said that will never be able to be taken away and for which one day I will have to give an accounting and once again be mightily shamed and embarrassed to review it with my Lord and Savior…



Proverbs 24:10

If you faint in the day of

Adversity,

Your strength is small.



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