Pushing Your Buttons

"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross!"                
                                                                                                                                Philippians 2:5-9 


Is there someone in your life who just knows how to get "under your skin"?  I have someone like that in my life.  My mom had six kids.  Child number 2 is a master at pushing buttons. I don't know why I let her get to me, but I do.  Usually she says just the right thing (perfectly calculated to boil my blood) and there she blows.... Steam pours from every orifice of my face.  My brain turns to mush.  My heart races... and my mouth spews forth things which really should not be spewed... it happens every time.  The bible talks about doing what we don't want to do... prime example.  Given the choice, I would prefer to keep calm and say nothing.  Show no sign of irritation and let her wonder why it didn't work.... but alas I am human, and I have not the power to do that on my own...  
    On my own.  That seems to be the key.  I have no power to do it on my own.  In fact I dont even like the person whom I become when I get like that. The bible says that we can do all things through Him who saves us....   The scripture above tells us that we should have an attitude like Jesus did.  That we should be humble.  Even when we don't want to be.  Even when it hurts. I know that I have become much better at leaving my problems at God's feet.  But this morning I realize that I have been picking and choosing what I leave there.  So tonight, in the quiet of my apartment.  I will lie prone in front of God and ask forgiveness.  Ask for guidance.  And sit and listen....  
     Dear Lord,  please help me to leave it all at your feet.   Help me to not hold on to problems and people who are problems.   Please help me to remain calm in the face of someone trying to "push my buttons" by reminding me that You have it handled and I don't need to worry.   Once again, I ask that You help me to keep my eyes on You and to take them off of everything else.  Please help me to better follow in your footsteps and to keep my mind as Yours was.  And please take away the pride that keeps me wanting to defend myself against my sibling.  Because in the end it just doesn't matter.  Thanks for being there.