HELP FOR THE FAMILY/YOUNG PEOPLE

How to Tame Your Temper

THE CHALLENGE

"I screamed at my sister and swung the door so hard that the hook on the back of it went through the wall, the hole was a constant reminder of how childishly I had behaved." -Diane.

"I shouted, 'You're a horrible dad!'  and slammed the door.  But before it closed, I saw the hurt look on my dad's face, and I immediately wanted to go back in time and swallow my words." -Lauren. 

Can you related to Lauren and Diane? If so, this article can help you. 

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

Outbursts hurt your reputation.  "I used to think that others just had to accept my bad temper," says Briana, now 21.  "But then I began to notice that people look foolish when they don't control themselves, and it hit me-that's how I appeared to others!" 

The Bible says:  "The one who is quick  to anger acts foolishly." -Proverbs 14:17. 

Your anger could cause people to avoid you.  "When you lose your temper," says 18-year-old Daniel, "you also lose your dignity and the respect of those around you."  Elaine, also 18, would agree. "Displaying a bad temper isn't attractive," she says, "It just makes people scared of you."  

The Bible says:  "Do not keep company with a hot-tempered man or get involved with one disposed to rage." -Proverbs 22:24. 

You can improve:  "You can't always control how a situation makes you feel," says a 15-year-old Sara,  "but you can control how you express  your feelings.  You don't have to explode."

The Bible says:  "The one slow to anger is better than a mighty man, and the one controlling his temper than one conquering a city." -Proverbs 16:32. 

Next time: HELP FOR THE FAMILY/YOUNG PEOPLE - WHAT YOU CAN DO

From the Awake! magazine