SOAP: Stay calm and make fewer mistakes as a result

Scripture: Proverbs 14: 29

Those who control their anger will have great understanding; those with a hasty temper will make mistakes.

Observation: Stay calm and keep your anger in check and you will make fewer mistakes.

Application: I need to keep working towards controlling my frustration when my children disobey.

It’s humbling to admit that here, but it is true and bears mentioning.

I am not nearly as easy-going with my children as I would like to be. I let my irritation show and I should not.

The past two weeks I have really focused on remaining calm and being much more encouraging to my children. And I have enjoyed the results.

Reading this today (And the many similar verses in the Proverbs) is encouraging and affirming (and convicting) to me. I need to keep it up. I need to remain calm and think clearly rather than become irritated and lash out in emotion.

Before, I thought just controlling my yelling would solve this. I was able to stop yelling at my children, but that is not enough.

I need to treat them with more respect and kindness, and not let my frustration show through, but gently correct in an honoring way. I need to stay calm and focused, and not allow myself to fly off the handle. Not yelling is just the start of that.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for all the encouragement you have offered me over the past two weeks as I have tried to change my parenting approach away from an emotional one and toward a rational, calm and more respectful and loving one.

Thank you for modeling grace and forgiveness to me

Please bring this verse to my mind when I begin to feel irritated and get too close to the boiling pint.

I want to honor you and I want to enjoy my children. With your Word and guidance I will much more often.

Thanks for this gentle and thoughtful correction, Father.