Sunday

I have a bad case of Mama Bear Syndrome. I honestly don't think there is anything that provokes anger in me more than a person that hurts a child. It doesn't just hurt me, it angers me. I don't deal with anger well. I'm not really sure what to do with it since I'm usually a hard person to anger. It's not my natural response, but when it comes to my children, my first instinct is to lash out and take revenge. Every ounce of my "self" justifies this feeling, but a tiny voice that I try and "talk over" tells me it's not right. Seems that voice is God's.

But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you (Luke 6:27-28).

What will my anger solve? I can not fix the people that sin against my child with my harsh words and anger. I want to "teach them a lesson" by putting them in their place, but the reality is, I CAN NOT FIX THEM. Only God, who is incomprehensibly more hurt for my child than even I am, can fix it. He can see the feelings in the hearts of not only myself and my child, but also of the one that imposed the hurt.
I taught a lesson to the kids this past week (thanks mom). Everyone has inside of them, a "good dog" and a "bad dog". They are always fighting with each other. Who will win? The one you feed.
My anger is feeding the bad dog (or bear as the case may be), giving the devil a foothold.

Lord, forgive me for reacting with anger. Your heart is hurt by these actions even more than my own. Only you have the ability to change a person, and my words will fall on deaf ears. Please help me stay calm and wise. Help me say the right things to my child. Help me as I try and show her YOUR way of dealing with these things through my example.
I pray that ******** heart is open to you and she is forever changed by your forgiveness and love. She doesn't need Mother Bear, she needs you. Be with my child through the process. Help me protect her. I am letting the anger go and placing it in your hands. Forgive me if it returns, and bare with me as I say this prayer again and again.
Amen