Make every effort to add to your faith … self-control … 2 Peter 1:5-6 The Holy Bible, New Living Translation
How do you Keep self control?
Most times when I feel a situation getting out of control I just step back and take a few deep breaths.
It is important to keep self control, ESPECIALLY, when teaching.
Sometimes as frustrating as it is people just do not see the obvious, through no fault of their own. Then it is time to just drop it and pray they will come to understand what you are saying. Usually the students get it with in a few weeks of contemplating it.
Sometimes however, when the frustration is overwhelming and they are being a pain in the butt and being antagonist I slam my fist into a wall.(EDITORS NOTE: I do not do this any more. Now I merely inform them if they want to learn they are welcome in my class. If they do not want to learn, there is the door, do not slam it on the way out. Some leave, which makes the class better, the ones that stay straighten right up)
It is not in anger, it is releasing the frustration. It gets their attention and they back away. It is not that they do not understand, it is that they do not WANT to understand. Then just walk away.
If they are stubborn and refuse to see it any way but their way I just call it like it is:” You are stupid and stubborn. I will not speak to you until you apologize and are willing to maturely discuss this.” Don’t talk with them for a couple of days. They usually come around. Stupidness and stubbornness goes together like smoking and cancer. Trying to reason with a stubborn soul is like talking to a wall. I do not waste my time talking to walls.
Sometimes they are just too self centered and then it is best to avoid them altogether because they will do nothing but bring you anger, pain and frustration.
My motto is “Avoid aggressive, self centered people. They will only pollute your heart with anger and sadness.” Joseph a son of Jehovah It has held me in good steed.
Now if it is an addiction get counseling.
Find out why you have that addiction and remove it from you. If you are a drug addict or alcoholic that will mean giving up your friends. They will only continue to pull you back down into that cesspool again. Sometimes the addiction is too strong for you to conquer and that is the time to completely surrender it to Jesus. I did and He instantly defeated my addiction and I have not returned in over ten years. Now, He may or may not instantly relieve you like He did me.
Editors note: since writing this article I have been taught by the Holy Spirit to pray when feeling like losing control. He either calms me down or encourages me to immediately remove myself from the situation which is causing me to lose my self control.
Prayer: Thank you Jehovah-Chatsahi (The Lord is my Strength) – Psalm 27:1 for blessing me with the strength, sensitivity to know when I am being baited and the wisdom to either leave the situation or the wisdom to use the right words to defend myself and defeat the wicked foe. I exalt You in the name of He whose words both healed and cut like a knife Jesus Christ. Amen May
Christ bless you with love, joy and peace today and every day. Joseph a son of Jehovah
Photo and article @ Joseph a son of Jehovah 2020