Read Proverbs 14:17  Do you know what a hot head is?  Usually someone who gets mad easily is called a hot head.  Or sometimes we say that a person has lost his temper.  We may say that someone has a short fuse.  The fuse is the wick that we light, which burns to light the firecracker.  Someone who has a short fuse means that they blow up quickly – like a firecracker that blows up quickly because if has a short fuse.  That means that they did not have enough self control to control their temper.  There are many things during the day that make us mad.  But what do we do when we get mad?  Do we think about the situation that is making us mad, or do we quickly yell out our frustration.  Do we think about whether we are wrong, or do we just get mad at whoever is crossing us?  When our parents correct us, do we need the correcting?  If we do, there is no reason for us to get mad.  We are the ones who are wrong, not our parent, who is doing their job in correcting us.  If anything, we should get mad at ourselves and not our parents.  Our verse says that when we get mad easily, we usually say and do the wrong thing.  That is because a mad person is not thinking straight.  They are just angry and say and do hurtful things.  They are out of control - they are controlled by their anger.  Usually, when they calm down, they are embarrassed by what they have done and said.  But then the damage has been done.  They have said hurtful words.  They have done angry things.  Usually they are sorry – but it is too late.  When you feel yourself getting angry, try this:  don’t say anything until you silently count to 10.  And while you are counting, think about what you should say.  Usually, you should say nothing.  You should just calm down.  Let’s practice not getting angry.  One of you say, “Grrrrrrrr!” in an angry way.  The other one silently counts to 10 and sweetly says, “I am not mad.  I am in control of my temper.”  Now switch parts.  It feels good to be in control of your feelings, doesn’t it?  Ask God to help you keep control of your temper.