Freedom for Angry Moms: 5 Days of Biblical EncouragementНамуна

set a new course

Captains know that if their course is off by even one degree, their ship will miss its destination by hundreds of miles. If a correction is not made, it could lead to disaster. Instead of a tropical island getaway, they may find themselves in the middle of nowhere without a speck of land in sight. Maybe like me, you’d like your home to run shipshape, but instead, you feel miles away from the pleasant, peace-filled ideal you imagined.

When I pictured my future children, I promised myself I wouldn’t raise my voice or show my frustration when they messed up. No matter how much we want to do the right thing, sometimes, our flesh takes over. Promises are forgotten. Then, regret settles into the fiber of our being, and we may even try to overcompensate for our angry behavior by overindulging our kids. The result is confusion for our children and a roller coaster ride of emotions for everyone. While the highs and lows of an amusement park are thrilling, the ride we take our kids on with our inconsistency is no walk in the park.

How do we get off the crazy train? We set a new course and recognize that where we are headed is where we will end up.

Your path is not fixed. Momma, where do you want to be today? I always wanted my home to be a sanctuary, the home where everybody wants to return to when they are grown. A place to rest your head and your weary heart. When I look back on my most triggered moments, I lost sight of the atmosphere I said I wanted to create.

Becoming a gentle mom means making small course corrections. The road that leads to a godly home cannot be paved with good intentions alone. It requires stepping stones—like deep, calming breaths before speaking, being more playful with your daughter, and starting each day speaking life-giving words to your son. Map out a plan to keep the shoes in a basket by the front door if muddy tracks derail you, seek out a more seasoned woman to disciple you, or as my friend Wendy Speake says, “figure out what you mean to say before you say something mean.” These are the tiny but significant maneuvers that keep us between the lines of peace and joy.

Keep your eyes fixed on God and He will never steer you in the wrong direction. An ocean of blessing awaits.

Lord, I want to set a course that leads to peace and joy in my home. Jesus, take the wheel! I want my actions today to reflect the journey I am on toward more godly responses. Thank You for promising that You will help me stay on a path of righteousness and help me with each step. I know that I am not helpless or stuck. I have Your Word as a map to help me and guide me. In Jesus’ name, amen.

PUT IT INTO PRACTICE

If you continue on the course you have set, where will it lead? Print out a map to a location that represents calm and beauty. Put it on display and let it be a reminder to you to change directions when anger and frustration begin to derail you.