Taming Temper Tantrums

But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against these things there is no law. Galatians 5:22

Here in lies the problem.  4 year olds want everything their way, right here, right now. They want to know “why mommy?”  4 year olds understand that they have are independent. Our 4 year old is no different than any other 4 year old. He’s loud. He’s busy. He’s excitable. And yes, he is impatient.  He wants things his way, right here, and RIGHT NOW!  As he throws a temper tantrum, I think to myself “self, don’t you sometimes feel the same way?” 

My answer: “yes, sometimes I do want things my way, not God’s way, I do not want to wait on God’s Timing, nor do I stop to consider whether or not my desires are His desires.”  And then I am reminded that sometimes my attitude isn’t the greatest all of the time either. 

How then shall we tame the temper tantrum? 

Perhaps we should pray and ask God to help us be patient and self-controlled.  People will know that we believe in God if we can do things His way, in His place, and in His timing.  When we fail to control our tempers we fail to glorify God. And isn’t it our job as Christian’s to glorify God in everything?

Sometimes we need to pray the following prayer with our little ones. Sometimes I need to pray it as a parent *ahem*.

“God it’s me again! I’m having a hard time controlling my temper. Please help me to be self controlled.  I can not do it on my own, but the bible tells us that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.”

So what about Joy and Peace Mrs.McFadden?

Well. . .Joy comes when thank God for everything.  Peace comes when we are joyful and self controlled.  If we pray for help controlling our tempers the end result should be a more joyful spirit. 

  Okay, so what about love, goodness, and faithfulness. . .you will have to stay tuned!