Anger!

This post is hard to write(no one likes to admit their faults) but it needs to be written as a reminder to myself...
I was scrolling through facebook last night-really late because I couldn't sleep and I found a wonderful blog post on anger/yelling and what it can do to children.  It was such a good reminder and it was timed so perfectly.  The link the the article is here.  I highly suggest that you read it. I want to thank the Hands Free Mama for posting this and being so bold.  It was just what I needed to hear.  It is always amazing how God times things in your life. Some things just cannot be ignored...
Yelling recently seems to be part of my daily life(not something that I am proud of).  I had been doing so good and now it seems I have slipped back into old ways.  Not making excuses but it seems that things always slide backwards when you are not up to par!  Between two small children-testing limits, a 9 month pregnant body(which seems to be bigger than any other time), a job that requires I work late, and children who are up before 8! It seems by body is run down a bit.  I seem to have a to do list that seems to be getting longer as our due date approaches, as I like everything to be in order when I may not be feeling up to par.  All of the stress has gotten to this home-and I have resolved to fix it(with God's help, of course)!
With God's help everything is possible-including my anger/yelling issue.  I love my children and I do not want them to fear me.  I want them to be able to come to me in times of need and know that I am here to help them solve problems, not worry about what I will get mad about if they decide to open up to me.  I want to be open with them, I want God's love to shine through my life so they may want what I have!  I want them to see God in everything in daily living.
I have come up with some ideas...
First, I need to go back to the source, at least back to the basics.  I'm searching scripture and writing them on index cards.  I'm searching for verses regarding anger, patience, and being a fool.  I know it is foolish that I know what the Bible commands and yet go in the other direction. If you have a verse that you love or helps you in times anger PLEASE share!
Second, I have a book that was recommended to me a long time ago and I read it when I first got married and I decided to dig it out again and read through it again.  This book is excellent-it is generally for dealing with anger in your children, but why not start with yourself! "The Heart of Anger" by Lou Priolo.  I highly recommend it, even if you don't have "anger" issues it is a good read and has very good reminders on how a God-Centered Home should be run!
Third, I will focus on the good and not on the bad.  I will look at what is causing me to be upset and ask is this something that has an eternal consequence?  Is it something that offends God or just me? Is this just because I want to save face or is it because it is something that truly matters?  I will look at what my children do, when they help I will encourage and love them.  When they spill milk-I will help them clean it up instead of getting upset because now I have something else to do!  I know this is going to be the hardest step as sometimes when you are in the moment it is hard to cool down.  Realizing that scolding will do nothing for my children, I need to make sure before I correct my children that I can speak in a calm and cool manner.
There is so much I can talk about on this subject...things I have learned in the past, how much better I am than I was before(which is good), but the action isn't fixed(not good).  I know this will be something I will struggle with, I just hope with God's help I can conquer it. With God's help everything is possible!  I will try and do some updated posts as I learn more and do things to help my children know they are appreciated!  I have heard of some really good ideas to help you notice the good instead of the bad, we will see which ones I implement as I would love to do something to help me notice the good in my children even more than I do now!  I feel a child can never get enough encouragement, it helps them to feel safe and know that you are on their side.  Although they do need reproof and correction, I just need to make sure I don't do it with a heart of anger, but with a heart of love like God commands!