Living Free - May 9, 2013
Realistic Expectations
Today's Scripture
"A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense." - Proverbs 19:11 NIV
Thoughts for Today
One key to controlling our temper is to have realistic expectations of others. No one is ever wrong or right all the time. It is wrong to expect others to always be happy and helpful. None of us is "up" all the time. We all have times that we are sick, stressed or just plain tired. And, right or wrong, these things do affect our moods.
We need to remember that other people are affected by these same things. They may have reasons for their seemingly rude behavior and are not just being selfish or thoughtless. We need to avoid getting offended every time people don't respond or act the way we think they should. They might just be having a bad day.
We also need to remember that everyone and everything do not exist for our convenience or purpose. We will control anger better if we do not say things like "I can't stand this …" or "They better never …" Statements like these lock us into emotionalizing rather than thinking.
Consider this …
Learn to align yourself with reality. Don't let everything bother you to the point that you always "lose it" over other people's failures. Show them the same kind of understanding you would like to have on your challenging days.
Lord, help me not to expect others to be perfect, or to always do things my way. Make me willing to overlook offenses, to see people's hearts and be sensitive to their needs. In Jesus' name …
These thoughts were drawn from …Anger: Our Master or Our Servant by Larry Heath. This study offers a clear explanation of anger, what causes it, and how to recognize when you are sinning with anger. It not only ministers to church members, but serves as a powerful evangelistic tool. Note: This curriculum was written especially for small groups and we encourage people to use it that way. However, it can also be used effectively as a personal study for individuals or couples.
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