All of us have radios in our homes and cars. And at any given time, on any particular day, we may have our radio set on the same station, listening to the same song as everyone else, but with the radio set at different volumes. The emotional intensity in our homes are similar to the volume of the radio. The same evens that occur in one home often occur in others. But people react to things differently. So many of us experience the same events; we encounter the same challenges and disappointments. Yet some people react reasonably and others respond with an emotional ten.

In homes where the volume is set high there is always a crisis. The first time a husband and wife have a disagreement they are headed for divorce court. A child misses curfew by five minutes look out for world war III.

I know that some of you know what I am talking about. You respond to life in extremes. The people at work have seen you explode. You've been known to slip into rage mode while waiting in line at the bank. And let's not even talk about how you behave when you are behind the wheel of a car. You confront the same life issues as everyone else does, but the difference is in how you react – or better said, how you over react.

You need to control your emotions. Don't let them control you. I'm not saying you should never get upset. We are only human and things will occur that cause our blood to boil… But you need to be selective about what really upsets you. What really matters? You may like your eggs cooked in a certain way, you may like your eggs cooked in a certain way, but if they are a bit too runny, is it worth starting a fight over? Children need to abide by the rules and guidelines and to be disciplined when they misbehave. But there is a difference between punishment that instructs and punishment that distrusts. Flying off the handle at the slightest thing will only push your children away and build a wall between you that is not easily torn down.

Your extreme behaviour also affects your children in another way. Your emotional outbursts will infect the entire home. Children mirror their parents’ behaviour. If they are raised in a house that is consistently on high volume. They will react similarly. Your actions are training them to be hysterical and violent. Soon everyone will be overreacting, flying into fits of rage at the drop of a hat. You will be attacking each other, and when a team attacks its own members, it falls apart and is incapable of winning.

Any Kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall Luke 11:17B (NIV)

In truth, when you exhibit tantrum like behaviour, you are acting out of a selfish, impatient need to get what you want, when you want it, in they way you think you ought to have it. Start behaving like an adult and exhibit self-control. You must have faith and patience. You will not gain the benefits of a strong, loving family if you can not stand delayed gratification. Your family is a long-term investment. Put the time in now and you will reap the benefits when you need them most.

Lower the volume in your house.. You might not be able to control what happens in life, but you can control how you react to it. Weather the inevitable storms that come your way by staying focused on your family vision.. Do you want a household that blares with the incoherent racket of everybody screaming and yelling and overreacting? Or do you want a team that works together harmoniously. Set the tone in your home. Lower the volume and bring peace into your home.

But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behaviour, slander and dirty language. COLLOSIANS 3:8

ANGER IN THE BOSSOM

Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger resteth in the bosom of fools ECCLESIASTES 7:9

Because our personal volume is set too high, many of us talk to each other without thinking. We let our emotions dictate our reactions, and often times we say things in the heat of the moment that we don't necessarily mean. The problem is that although words seem fleeting, heated words burn into the minds and souls they are directed to. Our wrath maybe like a summer storm, but it can leave a trail of bitterness and pain

Children are most vulnerable to our angry outbursts. They are easy targets and unfortunately are often the innocent victims of misdirected rage. A man is frustrated with his job. He does too much, gets paid too little, and has to deal with the inequities of a mismanaged work environment. He can't yell at his boss, He can't quit his job, He comes home like a volcano ready to erupt. No sooner does he walk through the door than he is spewing his venomous anger at anyone who crosses his path. He yells at his daughter for spilling some milk. He slams the door as he storms out of the house because dinner isn't cooked the way he likes it. He may have left the premises, but his anger has done its damage.

Households, let us exercise patience with our families, only then will we find peace let us give room to another and practice the love that covers a multitude of sins..