Category: Anger

P.U.S.H.

8/13/2014

My husband has worked out of town for four years. Most of the time I cope. But today is not one of those days. My friend told me, "Maybe it's time for you to P.U.S.H."

I asked her, "What's P.U.S.H.?" She said, "Pray Until Something Happens." I thought about it for a few seconds and responded, "I think you're right."

As an adult, I have learned the hard way that life is difficult. Yes, there are good times. But the bad comes too. I am so grateful that I have a relationship with God who teaches me what to do. He says, "Pray without ceasing." Wow, that's a lot of prayer. Can I do that? I'd rather whine. I'd rather fantasize about the many things I could do to make life go my way. Better still, I'd like to run out my front door and scream, "Life's unfair" as I pull out my hair and sob loudly for all my neighbors to hear. But what kind of example would that be for my 17-year-old daughter? Would the neighbors hurry to their windows and comment, "My, she is such a wise woman."

It's time for the fallback position. I've got to Let Go.

I know the most powerful thing I can do is pray. I know prayer works. I know God cares about the details of my life. He cares about what I am feeling. I also know He wants the very best for you, me and my family. So, why don't I just do it?

Because I'm more afraid of His answer.

Now that I have admitted that I am afraid, I feel better. Now that I see once more my ego is keeping me from being happy, it's time to buckle down. Here goes.

"God, I would really, really like my husband to come home and our family be together every day. I trust You. Thy will be done."

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Inside or Outside?

6/25/2014

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Are my problems coming from inside me ... or outside? This is a question I ask myself often. To find the answer, I stop. Search. Then feel.

When life is proceeding at breakneck pace, I tell myself there's no time for self-examination. But I have learned from experience, that if I don't take the time, my happiness goes out the window.

When I stop, pain comes in. Sometimes it's a tidal wave -- like the time right after my mother died. Other times, it's so subtle that I have to make a decision to listen to my heart. It can be as simple as I feel ugly today.

It is my responsibility to take care of me. It's my job to take the time I need to find out what's going on inside of me. If I address it, I can get back on track and have a good day. If I ignore it, very likely it will grow and I will make my molehill into a mountain.

So here's what I do. I check in with Me. I say, "How you doin'" I answer as truthfully as I can. I say, "I woke up mad." I say, "About what?" I answer, "I'm mad at my daughter for not folding the towels." I say, "Oh." Then I pray, "God, I can't let go of my daughter not folding the towels. Will you help me?" I sit quietly for a few seconds. Then I proceed about my day. Much later, I realize I have not thought about towels."

It works if I act. When I face the problems inside me first, the problems outside of me shrink in size.

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Justifying Everything I Do

4/29/2014

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I have an old habit that haunts me. It usually raises its ugly head when I am angry or lonely or tired. It's justifying or giving excuses for everything I do. And it defeats me. Every time.

I do have a solution. A solution that works each time I use it. It's this: Look at me. What am I doing that causes difficulties? What am I doing to make things worse? Could it be that I am trying to fix my problems by finding fault with others?

Here's how I tap into the solution. First, I pray and ask God for help. Second, I honestly examine my motives, actions and words. I write down on paper what I see, including the Good and the Bad. If I can't see myself clearly, I talk it over with a trusted friend or mentor. Third, I make myself practice tenderness, courtesy and a genuine interest in others. When I do this, miracles happen.

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Author

Terri Lynn Murphy stumbled into Texas from Oklahoma and fell in love with the hero attitude and her soon-to-be husband. Terri worked many years in Dallas as a advertising agency copywriter and broadcast producer, winning over 500 awards, before turning her attention to writing books. She is the author and creator of the Longing to be Loved© Book Series. Terri lives with her husband and daughter in San Antonio, Texas.

P.U.S.H.

Inside or Outside?

Justifying Everything I Do

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