Dealing with Me

My wife teaches prekindergarten. She is a great teacher and loves kids. One of the many ways she helps kids do what they should is by asking two simple questions. She will ask "What are you doing? What should you be doing?" The amazing thing is that young children have enough self awareness to answer the questions. Even if they are confused about what they should or should not do the questions give them a self correction point. What makes this so effective is that she has outlined clear behavioral expectations so when she asks the questions the children can reference back to the expectations and then adjust. If they don't know the answer to the questions then they become a launching point for teaching. I love the questions, she uses them on me!
I have discovered that I cause most of my relationship problems and if I will get into the habit of asking myself these questions then I might be better at loving and living with people. Where I struggle is that I want to blame other people for my emotional responses. These questions hit at the root of the problem, me. When I sober up to the fact that I choose my reactions then I can take responsibility for my actions. I can only control myself. I can't control my wife, my kids, or even my dog. In fact the work of God's spirit in me will produce self control. God has given me the power to do the right thing, the right way, for the right reasons and His expectations are clearly outlined in His word. I need to yield to God, hide His word in my heart, adjust to His expectations, and then I will have self control. Sounds easy, it's not! Remember, I cause most of my problems. So ask yourself the questions and adjust if needed. This is called the art of self leadership.
Another thought, try asking these questions to the people in your life. You might be amazed by the response.