The Irritability Factor

I think the one thing that bothers me most about myself when I am stressed is my “irritability factor.” I always liked to think of myself as a peacemaker and a problem solver. Yet, there are far too many times when I can hear the irritability in my voice, in the tone. I hear it as the words are coming out of my mouth. I can’t seem to stop myself at that point. I wish there were a way to do that.

The best thing I have ever done for that problem is the few times I’ve remembered to pray before I speak. Believe me, for me, that is a difficult thing to do. I am a helper, a care-giver, a nurturer. So I must always know the right thing to say, right? Wrong. When I am stressed, I say the wrong thing. Or, I say a neutral thing but in the wrong tone and I hurt someone who should never suffer my irritation.

Getting back to praying ahead of time. The few times it happened was when I went into a situation that I knew might cause me to be annoyed. I prayed for the right thing to say, not for my words, but for God’s words, to come from my mouth. I remembered that Moses was afraid to speak to his people because he didn’t think he knew what to say, yet God took over and spoke for him. So, a few blessed times, I did that. And I was just fine. I was able to bypass the annoyance that might have otherwise taken over.

So, why can’t I do that all the time? One reason is that I do not always know ahead of time that the situation might trigger my annoyance or irritation. There are many sayings around today similar to the one that says, “Lord, let my words be sweet today, because I might have to eat them tomorrow.” Perhaps if I tried to say just that simple statement each morning, it might help. Nobody should have to face my harsh words when they are so undeserved.

Lord, let my words be sweet today, because I might have to eat them tomorrow.