Smoke billowed upstairs and I ran down to see what was going on.  Something was left to slowly cook on a stove burner and no one was paying attention to the build up of smoke until it filled our nostrils and we couldn’t see through the haze.

When I am angry my emotions build up in the same way until I am filled with its fumes and can’t see what is really happening. I want to blame someone, anyone except myself.

At these moments, there is so much unleashed power at my fingertips and what happens next is up to me.

I find it challenging to bring my anger to an immediate full stop. It’s like reigning in a team of runaway horses and slowly bringing them under control.

You can’t bring them to an immediate full stop. It takes time and I am learning to slowly lead my anger away from a destructive end where a loved takes the brunt of my pent-up frustration.

The Apostle Paul talks about taking our thoughts captive and leading them away from destructive ends.

“We lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:5)

Feeling the weight and strength of my emotions building up is a signal that things are about to spin out of control. I take a deep breath and start pulling back on my anger, ease up, another deep breath, as I slowly gain control and then reach a full stop.

For me, it’s a process, and a better way to bring my anger under control than trying to pull off a full stop.

I am in control of the outcome. There is no one else to blame.

As we humbly confess our weaknesses and inability to change on our own, God’s grace meets us and enables us to purposefully and intentionally walk under the power of the Holy Spirit.

“Oh Lord, I want your grace to prevail in my life and relationships. Convict me when I long to respond in the flesh. Help me take captive every wrong emotion and enable me to respond to those I encounter today with your forgiveness and grace.” (Krista Williams , Proverbs 31 Ministry)