How should I avoid moodiness or irritation within the family?

[onjac]

I like to spend a lot of time alone. I do enjoy being near people but I tend to get a bit moody sometimes. I’ve gotten irritated over minor things that crop up and acted out in a less than respectful manner. There’s an occasional argument that springs up in the family, particularly over 2-3 things. It’s not as serious, as say, divorce and it doesn’t split up the family. But it doesn’t leave anybody in a good mood, that’s for sure and I don’t see a conclusion to it any time soon.

Sometimes, I feel this way not that long after Mass and I’m ashamed about that.

For the record, I don’t have depression and I’m in good health (although my sister does, and her mood swings are one of things that we argue about between the rest of us).

I was wondering how does everybody else on CAF deal with issues such as irritation and moodiness.

 

[itullian]

hi onjac,

my family knew i was the moody type,so when i was in one of my “moods”, they knew some things that they could say to make me laugh.
once i started laughing, most of the time that was it, mood started to change.

so i used this same “techique” on them and mostlyit worked the same.

God, i love and miss them soooo much.

so i used it on myself.i had stuff inmy head that was so funny to me it always made me laugh.

i think laughter is the key. just me…

love
peter

 

[MidnightSun12]

There are two things that I recommend:

1. To avoid the near occaison of sin. Try to think of the conversation topics that aggravate you the most (ie. politics, etc…). When you notice these conversations starting, change the subject before you have the time to even start to feel fustration/anger.
2. Turn to Christ when these feelings do occur. Feelings of anger and moodiness can fought the same way that feelings of lust can be fought. When you start to experience the temptation of anger, you have a brief point in time where you can decide to act on the temptation or reject it. I recommend offering the temptation up to Christ and asking Him to take it away from you before you have a chance to “consent” to it.

Remember that consenting to anger/moodiness is a sin that is contrary to love and needs to be fought. The good news is that Christ is there to help you, and you can easily beat this with His help!

God bless!

 

[Contra_Mundum_1]

Pray for the grace to be patient and charitable to family members. Put them into God’s hands and ask Him to deal with them because you can’t do it anymore. Just let Him do that and take a step away. Going to adoration also helps me whenever I have a problem and need extra support.

Hope this helps. God bless.