Anger Management

I was reading online in Proverbs (I like to keep biblegateway.com open on my computer during the day when I take breaks, etc) about anger...and was completely convicted:

The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger, And his glory is to overlook a transgression. Proverbs 19:11

He who sows iniquity will reap sorrow, And the rod of his anger will fail. Proverbs 22:8

He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city. Proverbs 16:32

Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry, For anger rests in the bosom of fools. Ecc 7:9

Does anyone ever feel like their words are out of control? I have been struggling lately with such a terrible attitude. It feels good to be mean and to say things harshly and I'm not sure where that's coming from. I think there are quite a few underlying frustrations in my life that I am not dealing with but trying to sweep under the rug. The frustration of not having a "normal" life with my husband because of his work schedule, frustration with our infertility issues, with the stress that comes with my full time job, with not feeling well physically a lot of the time...and all the other things we deal with.

This is the major area in my spiritual life where I have not had victory. I am so discouraged, especially when words give life or give death to those I love. And they can never be taken back once spoken. I don't want to be the "fool" that harbors anger and is quick to speak harshly...

Ephesians 4:31 says to "Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice" and Col 3:8 says to "put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth."

The truth of the matter is I have so much to be thankful for and no valid reasoning for being angry or irritable. I have an amazing husband, even if I don't see him very much, :) wonderful family and friends, an awesome church, a great paying job, a beautiful house, car. I read somewhere that instead of looking at the challenges in our lives as problems, we should look at them as learning opportunities...or how can we "be part of the solution, not part of the problem." Being washed in the Word and surrendering myself to the Lord's control are two of the ways I know I can overcome this. I guess it's like any other struggle-it's a life-long journey.

Prayer for the day:

Lord give me the strength to do what your Word says and put away all negative and harmful words from my mouth. Quench my anger and my quick temper. Give me a joyful spirit that rejoices in the gift of life and all my blessings. Forgive me for my impulsive, restless, discontented nature. More of you and less of me Lord...