Dealing with temptation

Matthew 4:10, "Jesus said to him, 'Away from me Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.' "

Can you imagine going forty days and forty nights with no food? How about staying in the wilderness with nothing but the clothes on your back? Then someone comes along who tells you to turn the rocks into bread and that you can have all of the wealth in the world. Now, imagine having so much trust and love for the Lord your God that, even though you are weak and hungry, you combat those temptations with truth from scripture. In everything, Jesus is an example for the way that we should live.

I wake up every morning determined that I am going to be that great, patient, loving mom who never yells at her kids or is late to an appointment. I will handle everything that comes my way during the day with grace and kindness. Usually, I make it for the first hour of the day. (My kids are still in bed during the first hour of my day.) As soon as the busyness of my day begins to sink in, my great intentions go out the window. I find myself snapping at the kids because they just spilled the milk, again. We rush out the door to get to work and school and I feel helpless again that I have spent the first few hours of my day being frustrated instead of loving.

I know that with God, all things are possible, even a peaceful morning with my three children. I want to rely on God's word in my times of temptation to loose my temper with my children. So, that is going to be my goal going forward. I will take an extra breath and recite a scripture instead of giving into the temptation to get angry. I think I will focus this week on Proverbs 15:1, "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." I am going to focus on giving gentle answers and staying away from the temptation of anger.