Nearing the end of his life, when he should have been preparing to bless his sons Simeon and Levi, Jacob told them: ‘ ”I…curse…you because of your…anger…“ ’ (Genesis 49:7 CEV). But their behaviour should have been no surprise; after all, the apple never falls far from the tree! The fact is, Jacob had already shaped them by his own example when he deceived his father (see Genesis 27) and his father-in-law (see Genesis 30), and his mother facilitated the deception. Behavioural patterns are passed from generation to generation, and ‘ “…a house divided against itself will fall” ’ (Luke 11:17 NIV). Mum, Dad, your actions and attitudes will either bless or blight your children. So ‘Teach [them]…the right path…’ (Proverbs 22:6 TLB). Otherwise they’ll inherit more than just your eye colour, they’ll end up with your emotional disposition and volatility! Don’t involve your children in your marital disputes. Solomon warned, ‘…anger rests in the bosom of fools’ (Ecclesiastes 7:9 NKJ). Your kids are an easy target for your misdirected rage. Even when your emotional outbursts aren’t aimed toward them, they still suffer the effects. For example, your boss reprimands you at work, and because you can’t retaliate you come home like a bear with a headache and make everybody walk on eggshells. Even if that’s what you experienced growing up, you’re not a child any more. Lower the decibel level! Don’t let your anger run amok. David prayed, ‘…watch over…my lips. Let not my heart be drawn to…evil…’ (Psalm 141:3-4 NIV). And James says, ‘Submit…to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you’ (James 4:7 NKJ). That’s the only way you’ll ever change the steps in your family dance.
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