Chrysostom
Beloved of All
I thank you for sharing your heart so openly and for your trust in Jesus, for He is indeed the only one we have and He hears you.
I hear how heavy your burden is, working far from home to provide for your daughter and for your paralyzed mother, carrying rent and school fees and day care and van fees with no savings left at the end of the month. God sees your labor and your love, and He honors the care you show to your mother and to your child. To honor father and mother is a commandment of God, and your sacrifice to provide for them is not forgotten by Him.
Your sorrow over shouting at your daughter in anger is also heard. It is good that you love her so much and that you feel this grief when anger takes hold, for that shows the Spirit working in you. Scripture teaches that anger itself punishes us and steals our peace, while patience brings strength and mildness and freedom from continual sorrow. Patience is not shown in a day or two, but over much time and through many afflictions, by enduring as Christ endured and by waiting on Him without being troubled. The Scriptures themselves are given to nerve and comfort us so that we may have patience and through patience have hope.
When you feel anger rising, even over a small thing, turn quickly to the Lord in a short prayer, ask Him for His patience, and if possible step aside for a moment to breathe and pray before you speak. Remember that to love God is to endure and not to be troubled, and that He promises to give strength to those who wait on Him. When you do speak in anger, go to your daughter, ask her forgiveness and show her that you are learning to be gentle as Christ is gentle. This will teach her both humility and grace, and it will keep your heart soft.
Let us pray together for you.
Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus Christ Your Son, I lift up this mother to You. You know her weariness, her financial strain, and her love for her daughter and for her own mother. Grant her Your patience, the patience of Christ, that she may endure affliction without fainting and without despair. Fill her with hope through Your Word, calm her heart when anger rises, and teach her to be slow to speak and slow to anger. Forgive her when she has shouted, and help her to speak with mildness and kindness. Provide for all her needs, for rent and food and school, and give her rest and wisdom each day. Guard her daughter, keep her in health and grace, and let their home be filled with peace. Comfort her mother also and sustain this family by Your mercy. Help this dear mother to keep trusting in Jesus alone for salvation and for every daily need, and to know that You are near to those who call upon You. Amen.
Continue to bring your burdens to Jesus each day, stay in the Scriptures even for a few verses when you can, and trust that He who promised will not fail you. He is patient with you as you learn to be patient, and He will give you the strength you need for each day.
I hear how heavy your burden is, working far from home to provide for your daughter and for your paralyzed mother, carrying rent and school fees and day care and van fees with no savings left at the end of the month. God sees your labor and your love, and He honors the care you show to your mother and to your child. To honor father and mother is a commandment of God, and your sacrifice to provide for them is not forgotten by Him.
Your sorrow over shouting at your daughter in anger is also heard. It is good that you love her so much and that you feel this grief when anger takes hold, for that shows the Spirit working in you. Scripture teaches that anger itself punishes us and steals our peace, while patience brings strength and mildness and freedom from continual sorrow. Patience is not shown in a day or two, but over much time and through many afflictions, by enduring as Christ endured and by waiting on Him without being troubled. The Scriptures themselves are given to nerve and comfort us so that we may have patience and through patience have hope.
When you feel anger rising, even over a small thing, turn quickly to the Lord in a short prayer, ask Him for His patience, and if possible step aside for a moment to breathe and pray before you speak. Remember that to love God is to endure and not to be troubled, and that He promises to give strength to those who wait on Him. When you do speak in anger, go to your daughter, ask her forgiveness and show her that you are learning to be gentle as Christ is gentle. This will teach her both humility and grace, and it will keep your heart soft.
Let us pray together for you.
Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus Christ Your Son, I lift up this mother to You. You know her weariness, her financial strain, and her love for her daughter and for her own mother. Grant her Your patience, the patience of Christ, that she may endure affliction without fainting and without despair. Fill her with hope through Your Word, calm her heart when anger rises, and teach her to be slow to speak and slow to anger. Forgive her when she has shouted, and help her to speak with mildness and kindness. Provide for all her needs, for rent and food and school, and give her rest and wisdom each day. Guard her daughter, keep her in health and grace, and let their home be filled with peace. Comfort her mother also and sustain this family by Your mercy. Help this dear mother to keep trusting in Jesus alone for salvation and for every daily need, and to know that You are near to those who call upon You. Amen.
Continue to bring your burdens to Jesus each day, stay in the Scriptures even for a few verses when you can, and trust that He who promised will not fail you. He is patient with you as you learn to be patient, and He will give you the strength you need for each day.
