Knights Becoming and a Lady in Waiting

Anger Anonymous: Step Three

Update:  Restoration, restoration.   I have failed more than once in the last few days, but learning to allow God to restore me to purity has at least made the lessons worthwhile.  I am becoming excited over the progress God is making in me and, although I realise this will be a life-long struggle, it is becoming a "thorn" that God can use for His glory (and to keep me humble).  [see 2 Corinthians 12:7-10]

3.  Make a decision to turn my will and my life over to the care of God [as He is shown in the Bible].

Oh, and I thought #1 was hard!  I dedicated my life to God a long time ago, but I've noticed that I haven't really turned it ALL over to Him.   Television?  "Well, yes, God, I'm watching this show and it's not exactly what You would have me watch, but it's not a BAD show.  It's just not particularly a GOOD show.  But I have to sit here anyway to nurse, so I'll just watch it until I'm done and then I'll turn it off."

Do you ever make deals with God like that?  I mean, it should be one of the first clues we get when we say, 'Yes, BUT...".  Yes, I'll spend more time in prayer, BUT I'll have to wait until the kids start sleeping through the night better.  Yes, I'll stop procrastinating about my Bible study, BUT it will have to wait until I finish the school schedule for next year.  BUT BUT BUT.

I do the same thing with my will.  I will do what God wants perfectly-- as long as it coincides with what I want.  Otherwise, I have a stubborn "streak" that far outpaces my humble, submissive streak.  I do that with my husband, too.  I will cheerfully follow his (rare) directives and even encourage [*cough* push] him to be a leader-- until he comes up with a plan I don't like.  Then I dig in my heels and get ready to win a tug-of-war.

No more.  I cannot control my temper, but God will not control it until I give up that control to Him. 

He... gives grace to the humble. (Proverbs 3:34)

 

He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live by bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.  (Deuteronomy 8:3)

Humble me, O Lord.  Take away my spirit of pride and contention and make me a submissive servant.  My will and my life are not mine, they are Yours.  Use them to glorify You and take this anger-sin far from me.

He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them His way. (Psalm 25:9)