My friend Alicia in Mississippi sent me a devotional her friend Cammy wrote. Cammy has graciously given me permission to reprint this here:  

“No More Temper Fits”

Everybody loves Ephesians 3:20. Who wouldn’t love this very encouraging, affirming verse regarding God’s ability to do “far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think…?” I have been a recipient of the “far more” for quite some time now. When I look back at the prayers I prayed before moving here two years ago, I cannot believe how fully and completely they have been answered and most of them answered “far more abundantly” than I ever imagined.

But here’s the part we often miss: God does this “far more” business according to the “power that works within us.”

The word power in the original language is the word “dynamis” – the root of our word for dynamite. The meaning is:

*Strength, power, ability

*power for performing miracle

*moral power and excellence of soul

*power consisting in or resting upon armies, forces, or hosts

This dynamite power is continually working within me. Well, it’s supposed to be. Twice last week, the very short fuse connected to the “dynamite” of my own temper ignited, burned down quickly, and exploded. Twice this week…. Now, I have two children – anyone want to do the math? Both situations required an apology from me… there’s just nothing more humbling than apologizing to a seven year old and an almost 16 year for throwing – or as we say down South – “pitching” a fit. But I pitched a couple of big ones. Sigh…

I looked back to Ephesians 3 this morning and backed up to verse 19 where it says I should “know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge” so I can be “filled up to all the fullness of God.” To be filled up here is to be filled to the brim and in the New Testament; the fullness of God represents HIS presence, HIS power, and HIS riches.

Somehow, what I was filled up with was just…me. And when I exploded this week, my children were left standing under not the showers of my blessings (from the fullness of God) but the ashes of my temper fit.

Explosive, yes – but the wrong kind.

See, the power of God, the DYNAMITE that should be within me (and is and will be) brings the glory to God. Temper fits, whether “pitched” by a toddler or a 40 year old frustrated mom will never bring glory to God. I have the power, it is WITHIN me to overcome this setback and let God use His power – His DYNAMITE power to guide my life and again bring to Him the glory He desires and deserves.

Can He do it? Oh yes…. Because Ephesians 3:20 says He is able to do “far more abundantly beyond” all I ask or imagine. And I imagine He doesn’t care for my temper fits either. J