One Day at a Time in Al-Anon:
Are we justified in getting angry at a person in an alcoholic fog? We are not–if we have accepted the truth that alcoholism is a disease. Has an outburst of temper, with accusations and reproaches, ever improved the situation? Hasn’t such action on our part only increased our own frustration?
It is true that such explosions do give momentary relief to our pent-up feelings, but once we realize that they only make matters worse, we can persuade ourselves to channel our forces into making a constructive decision. Any action of ours to compel the problem drinker to do anything is usually doomed to failure.
Today’s Reminder:
I will pause and think before I say anything, lest my anger turns back upon me and makes my difficulties even greater. I will know that well-timed silence can give me command of the situation as angry reproaches never can.
“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and evil speaking be put away from you.” — Ephesians
“A soft answer turneth away wrath but grievous words stir up anger.” — Proverbs