Lord, today I consciously resolve to walk in self-control and forgiveness, even before I face the challenges of the day.
Lord, I confess to You that I have a strong personality and at times I am too quick to speak what I feel. If someone provokes me, I show it immediately. Thank You for patiently transforming me over the years through Your Word, helping me to master my emotions by the power of the Holy Spirit.
You have shown me something that has changed my life: anger in itself is not a sin. The problem is not that I feel anger, for You created us with emotions. The problem arises when I allow these feelings to lead me into actions that do not align with Your will. I desire to live by Your Word, which says:
“Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.” (James 1:19-20)
Lord, at times I wish these difficult emotions would simply vanish. Yet You are teaching me something deeper: that You will not necessarily remove my feelings, but You will change me, making me stronger than they are. Help me to take responsibility for my emotions, never allowing them to control me.
Reveal to me any hidden anger that may have been building within me for years from old wounds, of which I am completely unaware. Do not allow it to make my heart hard and my spirit harsh, even though I love You. Help me to surrender myself to You completely, for I know that I no longer try alone. I refuse to be vulnerable and open to the enemy’s attacks.
Your Word warns me that a lack of self-control is devastating:
“A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls.” (Proverbs 25:28)
Therefore, I pray, teach me to recognize the first warning signs of anger. Help me to take every thought captive before it becomes a stronghold in my mind. When I feel agitation rising within me, empower me to say “No” to those thoughts and feelings. My aim is to live in peace, as far as it depends on me. This is Your will for me:
“If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.” (Romans 12:18)
I know that the key is forgiveness. Today, I consciously choose to forgive those who have hurt me. I will no longer cling to feelings of anger; I commit to the end of looking back. I release them into Your hands, for You call me to be merciful, just as You are merciful to me.
“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” (Colossians 3:13)
Lord, instead of repaying evil for evil or insult for insult, You call me to a higher standard. You call me to bless. This is my vocation and the path to Your blessing.
“Do not repay evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary, bless, for to this you were called, that you may obtain a blessing.” (1 Peter 3:9)
I surrender these situations and people to You. I trust that You are my Vindicator and my Advocate. Thank You for being greater than my feelings and for giving me the fruit of the Spirit—self-control—so that I may walk in Your peace and experience Your perfect love this day.
Amen.
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