Temper, temper!

I am at one of those difficult spots in life. We are quickly approaching a point where I am going to have to confront someone I love about a very volatile topic. In the past this person has always been hot tempered and prone to bouts of yelling (partially from hearing loss and partially from lack of self control). They use volume of their voice to intimidate, get their way and get others to back off. When that doesn't work, they use words that wound.

Well, I am going to have to confront this same person about a topic they are not going to want to talk about. I feel quite certain that it is going to lead to a big blow up with yelling and elevated blood pressure. Generally in this life I get along pretty well with just about everyone. I have a long fuse and work hard to keep my tongue under control. This is literally the only person I can think of that I argue with like this. I am ashamed to admit that I lose my cool. I don't say inappropriate things, but I raise my voice in frustration. I disappoint myself in that I let this person get to me and I respond in a way inconsistent with how I feel I should respond. I should have better self control. I have walked with the Lord for 46 years now. Shouldn't self control be a little easier than this by now?

Unfortunately, this issue is health related and I have no excuse but to broach the subject, but unless the Lord intervenes there is going to be some yelling going on...even if I don't respond in kind. I can hold my frustration to a point after which I literally start pulling my hair out.

I need the Lord's wisdom and self control. Lord, please give me your words in order to bring peace and help to this situation as opposed to stirring up anger, rage and resentment. You can see how this person I love needs help, but they are too prideful to admit it, and ask for, and receive the help that they need. Please give me your favor and provide for me the opportunity for me to share my heart with them and please give them the grace to receive my words in the spirit in which they are intended. I am reminded about the scripture in Proverbs 15:1, "A gentle answer turns away rage, but a harsh word stirs up anger." Lord, please give me YOUR gentle words to speak. Help me to remember that we struggle not against flesh and blood... Help me to guard my heart (thank you, John for that one) and take my thoughts and my tongue captive, so there can be peace in this relationship and help for this one that I love. Replace anger with compassion, Lord. I can't do this on my own. So, I ask for Your divine intervention, because with You all things are possible. This part of growing up is really unpleasant. But I need to do the right thing, even if it is unpleasant, uncomfortable and down right painful at times. Lord, I thank you for this opportunity to grow and mature, and I pray that I will worship you with my attitude, words and responses, so that this painful situation can be turned for the good, so that we can all grow together as opposed to apart and that You will be honored.