Y’all Better Be Glad I’m Saved!

Lifestyle

by Lamar Tyler | on August 24th, 2009 | 10 comments

anger-m2

Salvation Haiku:

They’d better be glad

I’m saved! Or else I would have

removed my earrings.

~ Harriet Hairston

I’ve come to learn that many people get Christianity confused with cowardice; meekness with weakness. Just this week three people offered me the distinct opportunity to smack the taste out of their mouths…but for the Holy Spirit within me, I would have. He arrests me when my fists start balling up. He becomes a filter when my thought process degenerates to a tempting desire to show how many combinations of expletives I can combine in one sentence. Inside, I’m hopping mad, but on the outside, my countenance is calm and collected.

You know what? I want to be Jesus for just ONE DAY. Let me have His power when people start mistaking my kindness for weakness! Oh…you want to take me for granted and try to run me over? Here…let me take back my oxygen for a couple of seconds! What’s wrong? Why are you turning blue? Oh, you can’t respond because you can’t breathe? My bad!

Then you have jokers on a positive website like Black and Married With Kids trying to belittle the work being done and the vision being brought to life by the founders here. Come on. Do you really WANT me to go there with you? I’m trying to be nice, but I’m not Jesus by any stretch of hte imagination.

If I had been Jesus…ooo-wee! I would have called EVERY angel to the scene of the crime. I would have done a divine bait and switch to put Judas on the cross instead of me. I don’t even think I would have bothered being born. I would have just ripped my way through a cloud and stepped out on the scene! I would have bullied and judged and condemned every person that rejected me! But what would that solve?

Seriously, though, here’s the thing: Jesus had more power in His eyelash than the people that orchestrated His murder on that cross. I want to give way to my anger at the smallest infraction or libel against my character. Jesus, the Son of God, was SET UP to be MURDERED…and He responded with love.

He didn’t have to go through all that, but He knew if He gave back what was given to Him, crazy people like me 2009 years later wouldn’t be able to blog about how they wanted to smack the taste out of someone’s mouth, but the Spirit of the living God arrested them and showed them a better way.

Besides, His Word states that anger resides in the bosoms of fools. Since my mama didn’t raise one, I’ll continue to calm myself down and replace thoughts of assault and battery (or at least a good tongue lashing) with love, forgiveness and strength under control.

What about you? How do you control your temper? Does it always work?

God bless!

~ Harriet

Harriet Hairston, a freelance writer, human resources administrator at an HBCU and creator of the motivational blog, “Can She SAY That?!?” has a unique style that brings readers into her life through her transparent demeanor. She lives in Louisiana with her husband and two sons. You can reach her at harriet_hairston@yahoo.com.

About the author

Lamar and Ronnie Tyler are the creators of the award-winning blog BlackandMarriedWithKids.com . They also are behind the Amazon.com bestselling DVDs Happily Ever After: A Positive Image of Black Marriage, You Saved Me and Men Ain’t Boys that explores manhood in the African American community. The Tylers are also the proud parents of four children.

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Comments (10)

Sue Monday - 24 / 08 / 2009 Reply

Why ole why do some people just want to piss you off? I had one of those days myself today(and way to often to reconzige rightnow). Crazies(as I like to call them) walk around all day everyday day and they always pick someone new. I had a normal offensiver today, but I stayed calm and didn't subcumb to it today(so gratefull to GOD for that) but my second mind said to show them what they wanted...........but I must live my life and not behind a jail(as so many do) for foolishness
Kemi Tuesday - 25 / 08 / 2009 Reply

When someone acts a fool, I take a step back, breath, smile and remember how far I've come. I was a fighter, kept vaseline and a bat in my trunk :)But I'm older and wiser now. The saying goes, 'those who anger you, control you'. When you remain calm, unaffected and not engage in the exchange of expletives and acting a fool, that really pisses a person off more and they end up standing there being mad and looking like a fool. The devil comes in many forms and I refuse to let him give me high blood pressure and other health ailments because of someone else foolishness. I'm blessed and refuse to be stressed. LOL:)
michele Tuesday - 25 / 08 / 2009 Reply

I have to pray that I don't go "set it off" on somebody. It doesn't always work because I tend to let my emotions rule my logical and rational thinking. I don't like confrontation, but sometimes you must put someone in their place. You don't have get all sistuh-girl on them (though in some cases it is warranted). I do believe that you can tactfully tell someone how and where they need to go without using expletives (slip of the tongue). I'm a daily work in progress! I try to remain calm for as long as I can, until I've had enough. I will apologize AFTER I've cooled off for a couple of days!
Harriet Tuesday - 25 / 08 / 2009 Reply

Ladies, you absolutely feel me. I'm glad it's not just me. LOL I wonder how the men feel about this. Lamar? E. Payne? What's your take on controlling your temper?
Danielle Tuesday - 25 / 08 / 2009 Reply

Honestly, I can tell you that I haven't really lost my temper in a while. As a child, however, i was a terror. I remember one year there was hurricane named Danielle, and my family teased me immensely. I could have been 12 or 13. Now this might sound selfish, but I don't lose my temper because I always think about how "losing my temper" will impact me. For me it never stops will losing my temper and then everything is ok. I'll ruminate on the topic for days, my eczema might flair, my schedule is out of wack.....so I've learned to stop because I have to protect me. Honestly, I can't tell you when I've had an argument recently....I don't have them. I say what I have to say and do what I must do. I do believe, however, that God has helped me to really understand the serenity prayer, especially the line that reads, "to accept the things I cannot change." That alone has helped immensely with my relationships, at work, everywhere.... Like others, I sometimes walk away, but lately, I've learned to be silent......and it really works wonders. I don't know why it works. I think the silence gives people a change to think about their words and behavior. In addition, they have no idea what kind of bag you're coming out of next. But that alone helped squash a lot of unnecessary anger in my life.
Ginny Friday - 28 / 08 / 2009 Reply

Hello, Blessings from Alabama! I just joined this blog! I just happened to read this blog on blog because the title sounded interesting. But i don't understand this comment. Was it tongue in cheek? "Then you have jokers on a positive website like Black and Married With Kids trying to belittle the work being done and the vision being brought to life by the founders here." I'm not understanding if this is dissent or just a comment that sounds like dissent.
Harriet Friday - 28 / 08 / 2009 Reply

First and foremost, welcome to BMWK, Ginny! It's always refreshing to read new comments. I'm sure if you've been to other blogs (especially those with a positive theme), you have found some commentary to be antagonistic or belittling. That particular statement that you outlined in your comment was directed towards those who would choose to bring about that kind of negativity in this space. I'm all for healthy disagreement, even heated debate. However, what I don't like are people who purposely bring about dissension just to entertain themselves. Thanks for the comment! I really hope you enjoy the diversity of what is offered here!
Anonymous Saturday - 29 / 08 / 2009 Reply

Where is that joker Alan? Haven't seen him around in awhile! LOL
Harriet Monday - 14 / 09 / 2009 Reply

@ Anonymous See...I didn't mention any names. LOL!
OMOLARA KIM Friday - 23 / 09 / 2011 Reply

It takes grace.. lol @ Jesus ripping out the sky... How cool is that though with him wearing a comic outfit too. Ok.. got carried away...Am sure he find its funny.I have come to an understanding that people do take kindness for weakness, your gentleness for foolishness and your quietness as weakness. But I know that responding to those negativity serves no purpose as there is time for everything.So how do I deal with anger as suppose to the shouting /insulting, breaking grounds self. First, I take time, walk away from the situation completely and not dwell on it. I just chill and not react. After a while, I will think about what has happened and ask for the Holy Spirit advice and direction. I have come to a decision not to dwell in anger or react to one.. Your emotions can make you do stupid things. Considering anger is another element that tempers with one emotions. I will suggest taking a break cos if you respond in the heat of the anger, it will be of no use. Having said that, apply wisdom and allow the wrong to know they are wrong and so wrong. Most importantly, if I cant deal with them, I report them to the best Daddy and its makes me feel so much better knowing they will be dealt with for messing up with Daughter of Her King.....heheh.