I'm honored to have been invited to take part in this edition of the Ladies of Hive contest! I have to admit though; this question is a challenge. I hope my approach to answering it is acceptable!
The truth is, I could probably write a novel on the things that bug me. I really wish that wasn't the case. Living with extreme anxiety comes with a daily range of emotions and usually when I am feeling anxious about something, I get easily frustrated and sometimes that results in becoming angry over the silliest things! Really though...so silly.
The focus of this post is going to be on the last part of question one and that is "what helps to pacify you?"
The answer to that is my faith!
I absolutely LOVE this question because it allows me to give proper glory to God. Without Him, nothing is possible.
Before I became a Christian, I had no idea how to handle my anger. It was a real challenge for me and many people in my life. It deeply effected my relationships with others.
When I came to know God and read His word, I realized that it was okay to take that anger to Him. Now I pray often when I'm feeling anger; no matter how stupid the reason is, I now know that it is okay to bring it to Him! There is no shame in it anymore.
The bible speaks so clearly on anger and the dangers of it. The book of James touches on this beautifully....
When we spend time in anger, we are not focused on God. We are not giving glory to God when we are giving into anger. It pulls us away from Him.
For me, this was a real "ah ha!" moment. The more time I spend angry over things, stewing in it or even worse, projecting it onto others, the more time I am spending away from God. Perhaps causing others to do the same.
Words are very powerful!
I really do believe that! There is reason that the Bible is given to us in the form of a book! I believe it's because God knew that words would be powerful and can absolutely change lives!
Words can build someone up or they can tear someone down.
When we spend time in anger, we usually end up saying something we regret to someone. This can be hurtful and usually can't be taken back. The truth is, we're all God's children and when we hurt each other, it hurts God. It's not a space that He wants us to be in.
I still get angry, don't get me wrong. I definitely do not write this from a "holier than thou" perspective. I'm just like everyone else dealing with all that life has to throw at me. Sometimes, it gets the best of me. As a mom of three kids, some days....it's not easy!
The only thing I do differently now is I try really hard to bring all my anger to God through prayer. I ask Him to take it from me and I try really hard to leave it with Him at the Amen part!
I'd love to invite @pixiepost, @redheadpei and @successchar to participate!
Can't wait to read your answers.
All images created in Canva by me! :)