Are you an easily irritated person?!
Def- irritable: easily irritated or annoyed; readily excited to impatience or anger (Testy, Touchy, and it implies cross or snappish behaviour)... I'm sure we have all been there one time or another; some more than others... (females that monthly cycle doesn't excuse us, just maybe hubby can be a little more understanding!?) One reason we may become irritable may be due to stress.
Stress can be brought on due to arguing, division, and bitterness, within our marital relationship or outside relationships. This can be due to fault finding or because someone was easily offended; yourself or others! How should we handle this?... (Col. 3:12-14) says, "Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony."
Stress can be brought on by constant worry or excessive anxiety. Combat your worry by turning it into worship; give your worry to the Lord in prayer! Our Heavenly Father says, "Don't worry about anything; instead pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God's peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus." (Phil. 4:6-7)... The state of our heart can also determine our irritability... "For whatever is in your heart determines what you say." (Matt. 12:34b)
When you feel "squeezed" by life's pressures do you illicit a "sour" response like a lemon? Or do you handle pressures in a "keen" way like a "sweet" peach? Another reason to handle ourselves in a less irritable way... There is a direct connection between being constantly angry, competitive, and aggressive, and early heart disease... chronically angry, hostile and irritable people have been described as having "Type A" personalities. More laid back people are "Type B." When feeling especially easily provoked I have to think of... (Eph. 4:31) "Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behaviours." Lastly, being easily angered can indicate a sometimes hidden flaw of selfishness. Lust, bitterness, pride and greed are some reasons we can act harshly. Money, is many times a root cause of these "not so good fruits."
(1Tim. 6:9-10) says... "But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows."
* This week: let Love Lead you to Forgiveness; instead of Forever holding a grudge. Be Grateful instead of greedy. Be Content rather than consuming. Fill your Heart with Happiness instead of hatred.
Invest in Relationships instead of; Investing in fighting with your Relatives. Prioritize your family; instead of promoting your work or own agenda. Will you choose Love in each decision you make? When you do you will be lowering your stress and releasing the venom that violates us inside. You are then able to set your heart up to respond to your spouse and others with patience and encouragement rather than anger and irritability.
*Love Dare* Choose to react in Love, instead of irritation... no matter what!! How long can you do this?! You may need to make changes or add margin to your schedule to take away possible irritations. List any possible wrong motives that you need to release from your life. Prayerfully give them to the Lord. Try to recall your motives behind overreacting... each time it occurs! Then, decide to react in love, next time.
Lovingly Yours,
JKEST-Vicki
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