"If he snaps my bra one more time, I'm gonna kill him!" My rather disturbing thoughts were directed towards my angelic eight-year-old brother who had for the last half-hour been annoying me beyond human comprehension.

   If you have a younger sibling you probably have a grasp on what I'm talking about. I sometimes wonder if Jesus' greatest temptation as a kid was finding little "Rachael" playing with his prayer shawl in the dirt!

   Okay, okay, so the feelings of anger last only a minute or two, but you feel awful later for being so angry. (Oh, a word of advice: When you're really mad at them, don't look at them while they're sleeping! Hello Guilt Airlines!) There are ways to combat those feelings when they arise. Although, combating them may be as high on your list as your trig homework:

     PRAY...Pray for God to teach you patience through any and all circumstances. After all, your first mission field should first be your home, not Zimbabwe.
 (Ephesians 6:18 - Never stop praying, especially for others. Always pray by the power of the Spirit. Stay alert and keep praying for God's people.)

     TALK...If they are old enough, talk to your sibling and explain why/why not you don't like them doing what they are doing. Next, suggest something else for them to do appropriate for their age and something that you'd do in their situation.
 (Proverbs 12:18 - Sharp words cut like a sword, but the words of wisdom heal.)

     ENCOURAGE... Hey, they may be your siblings, but they are people! (Yeah, they aren't little animals put on earth to annoy you!) When you notice Joey not bugging you for water when you're on the phone or little Amanda didn't eat that last piece of your Birthday cake tell them that you noticed them respecting you by being kind. Hug them, tackle them, kiss them. . .surprise them! Tell them how special they are and how much you love them! They're blessings!
 (1 Thessalonians 5:11 - That's why you must encourage and help each other, just as you are already doing.)

   Yeah, our brothers and sisters are blessings. You know, if I woke up tomorrow and my little brother was gone--I'd miss him, annoyances and all!