Q: Help get control of my anger while driving. Why do I erupt when sitting in traffic or when a car cuts me off? What do I do?

A: I live in a town with a population of 6,000 that serves 7,000,000 tourists a year. Branson, Missouri is a family oriented town, but during certain seasons we welcome a senior population to our town. And highway 76, commonly known as The Strip, is where we spend most of our time. During the fall, traffic can be backed up for miles.

Let me share with you how these 2 questions can redeem your driving and radically change your life. When you get in traffic and deal with other irritable drivers, start with question number one.

Question #1: What am I angry about?

Many reasons, but here are few:

• That guy cut across a double yellow line and in front of me.
• I am late to a meeting.
• They shut down one of the side roads that serve as shortcuts and only locals know about them.

Next, process each reason knowing that there is more than one motive behind each reason:

That guy cut across a double yellow line and in front of me.
Reasons behind the reason:

• Senior couple driving cautiously, new to Branson and don't know their way around, just saw the Andy Williams show and are distracted while talking about.
• Young person with no respect for the law or other drivers on the road.
• Motorist who woke up this morning and said, "I am going to make Gary Smalley's life miserable today. Can't wait to see him on the road later so I can cut him off. That should do the trick." (So this is kind of silly, but it shows how ridiculous anger can be a times.)

I am late to a meeting.
Reasons behind the reason:

• I did not give myself enough time to get there and should have planned ahead.
• They should have planned the meeting for 10:30 instead of 10:00, that way I would not be late.
• The City of Branson planned a fall festival that they did not tell the locals about and that caused a spike in traffic and now it is there fault I am late. (Again, which one of these reasons sounds most accurate? Which one sounds the most ridiculous? I don't think I am alone here. If you were honest, you probably could relate to some of this.)

They shut down one of the side roads that serve as shortcuts and only locals know about them.
Reason behind the reason:

• This one is definitely the City of Branson's fault :)

Question #2: What am I going to do about my anger?

• Resolve it by taking personal responsibility for my emotions, driving and tardiness.
• Stop playing judge and jury for the infractions of other driver's.
• Plan better next time.

I know this looks and sounds simple, but every time I quiz myself when angry I always end up feeling a little bit embarrassed.

Simply stated, take personal responsibility for your thoughts and emotions. The other driver can not control them. Only you can do that. Spend some of that time in traffic hiding God's Word in your heart. Then it no way can be wasted time.

Blessings!

© Copyright 2007 Smalley Relationship Center

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