In working to overcome an out-of-control temper, in addition to confession, prayer, and spiritual reading, I offered my temper to Jesus in the Offertory, telling Him that I could not master it, but knew that He could.
The results were miraculous. I still have to watch it, so as not to backslide, but people who know me now, cannot believe that temper was my cross for so long.
God is so merciful and awesome! I discovered, on the other side of my battle with temper, that as I had been striving to control my temper, God cured other vices of mine.
Without conscious effort on my part, by the grace of God, I had stopped gossiping. I didn’t realize it until a friend mentioned to me in passing that I was her model for charitable discussion of others and for turning the subject when others began to gossip after saying something about taking any personal differences to the person involved first.
(Need I admit, that I used to enjoy gossip, too.) There are other vices I had that God has removed my taste for, too, while I was working on only my temper, or so I thought. I pray that you, too, will be abundantly blessed by your striving to overcome your cross.
May God bless you as you battle your own inclinations. May our Blessed Mother intercede for you so that you are surrounded by abundant graces as you strive to do God’s will and master your hunger. It may be impossible for us to do in our own strength, but everything is possible with God’s help.
In Christ’s peace and joy,
Robin L. in TX
