I want to tell you a story about my son. His name is Brad and he’s in 6^th grade. I shared this with a group of ladies last week. So if you already heard it, sorry.

Last Tuesday night  he was in a football game. He was up against a player 27 times his size. No really like 2X. Brad may look sweet and innocent, but let me tell you on the football field, he has quite a reputation for hitting pretty hard and being aggressive. This is GOOD in TEXAS football! 

Well, apparently, this kid on the other team had had enough of Mr. Tiny Boy beating the H - E - double hockey sticks outta him, so after the whistle blew…he decided to grab my son by the helmet, whip him to the ground and start beating him up. Now, it’s a good thing Mama Bear was busy chatting it up with the gal pals or I mighta had to go find HIS mama.

Well, let me tell you how my child responded. He did NOT retaliate at that time. He got up, collected himself, and KEPT PLAYING the game. Played probably one of the best games of his life! He chose to channel his emotions in a healthy manner. By the way, the other kid got kicked out of game. Heh heh heh!

I look at my sixth grader and wonder, WHOSE KID ARE YOU?

I’ll tell you. He’s the son of Jesus Christ. See in 3^rd grade, Brad had no self-confidence. And certainly no self-control at home. He was being bullied at school and would hardly look you in the eye. Now, he has learned how to express his emotions in a healthy manner. I give God the glory for this. He used counseling and a class at our church called P.E.A.C.E. Out. It teaches kids how to deal with their God-given emotions in a healthy manner. Maybe we should offer that class for adults?....It has not been an easy process. I'm not gonna lie. But looking back, ohmygoodness! What a change!

In Ephesians 4:26, the Bible says, In your anger, do not sin. It doesn’t say “anger is a sin”. No way Jose. Jesus got angry. But he controlled it. And Jesus is teaching my little Brad to do the same.

Not saying my son is perfect by any means. Actually, that same morning he got ticked off about his shoes or something, can’t really remember and treated his sister badly. I keep reminding myself…Progress, not perfection. As long as we are in the process, the Father is pleased! 

How do I express my emotions? They are normal. They are God-given. But that does not give me the right to fly off the handle any time I please. Even an elementary kid can learn that. So there is hope for us!