Stop, Pray, Walk Away: A Lesson in Self-Control

Teaching Children (and Ourselves) How to Handle Anger in a Godly Way

Stop, Pray, Walk Away: A Lesson in Self-Control

It’s funny how God has a way of bringing things full circle. A decade ago, I wrote this object lesson, tucked it away in a little WordPress corner, and now, here we are—dusting it off, remixing it, and breathing new life into it. Because let’s be honest—self-control is something we never stop needing reminders about. Whether we’re five or forty-five, emotions can bubble up like an overfilled glass, and if we’re not careful, we might just spill over.

But here’s the good news: God has given us a way to handle that overflow.

The Beauty of Anger (Yes, Really!)

Anger isn’t inherently bad. It’s an emotion God designed to alert us that something isn’t right. Sometimes, it stems from deeper feelings—hurt, disappointment, even fear. But unlike sadness or fear, anger comes with energy—it makes us feel powerful. And that’s where the challenge lies. If we don’t handle it with wisdom, it can lead us down a path we never intended to walk.

James 3:7-8 reminds us:
"All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison."

Our words—oh, how quickly they can overflow like a shaken-up soda bottle, bursting out before we’ve had time to think. So how do we practice self-control when anger flares?

A Hands-On Object Lesson for Kids (And Adults, Too!)

Let’s take a simple science experiment and turn it into a powerful visual on emotions and self-control.

Materials:

• A clear glass

• Warm water (represents us)

• Food coloring (our emotions)

• Dish soap (stirring up our emotions)

• Baking soda (our reaction when emotions take over)

• Vinegar (self-control—or lack thereof!)

• A baking dish (to catch the overflow—because consequences are real!)

Steps:

1. Fill the clear glass almost to the top with warm water. This represents us—just going about our day.

2. Add a few drops of food coloring to represent emotions—maybe anger, frustration, or impatience.

3. Add 3-4 drops of dish soap. This stirs up our emotions, making them harder to ignore.

4. Sprinkle 2 tablespoons of baking soda into the glass. This is how we tend to react when we let our emotions get the best of us.

5. Now, place the glass in a baking dish. Because when emotions spill over, they always have an impact beyond just ourselves.

6. Finally, pour in vinegar and watch the reaction! The fizzing and overflowing represent what happens when we don’t control our anger—it takes over.

The Takeaway

Without self-control, anger can lead to words and actions that hurt ourselves and others. But there’s another way.

God’s plan is simple: Stop. Pray. Walk Away.

Instead of letting emotions dictate our actions, we can pause, bring it to God, and step away before we say or do something we regret. It’s not about ignoring emotions, but rather surrendering them to the One who can handle them far better than we ever could.

Let’s Pray

Father in Heaven, thank You for giving us emotions. Help us to remember that while it’s okay to feel anger, it’s not okay to let anger control us. Teach us to stop, pray, and walk away when we feel overwhelmed, so we don’t hurt others or ourselves. May we reflect Jesus in the way we respond. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Remember This:

It’s okay to feel angry. But it’s not okay to let anger lead us into sin. With God’s help, we can learn to respond instead of react.

🌻 What helps you practice self-control when emotions run high? Let me know in the comments! 🌻

With love and grace,
Beth

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