I’ve always loved the TV show Ted Lasso. It’s one of those rare shows that, instead of leaving you cynical, leaves you smiling. The main character, Ted, is an American football coach thrown into the world of English soccer, and somehow—between the biscuits, banter, and bewildered expressions—he dishes out more wisdom than most self-help books.
One golden nugget of wisdom from Ted was something he taught his son Henry: “If you’re mad, count to ten. Still mad? Do it again.”
Now, I’ll admit something—I was born with a slower fuse than most. My “fight-or-flight” reflex is more like “sit-and-think-about-it-for-a-while.” Unless, of course, I’m driving, and then I channel the courage of a mother tiger protecting her cubs (only with less grace and more Scottish hand gestures).
But here’s the truth: every time I have lost my cool, I’ve regretted it. Every single time. The anger may have lasted a few moments, but the sadness of knowing I fell below my own standards lasted much longer. Proverbs 14:29 says it well: “Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.”
And when it comes to our children? Oh, friends, that’s when it matters most. Kids today live in what I call “stress soup”—constantly simmering in pressures, comparisons, and expectations. The last thing they need is us pouring in extra ladles of anger. Instead, they need us to serve up patience, kindness, and grace. Ephesians 4:2 reminds us to “be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”
So here’s the challenge: the next time you feel your temper rising, take Ted Lasso’s advice—count to ten, and if needed, count again. And while you’re counting, remember James 1:19: “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.”
Because in the end, it’s not about being perfect—it’s about showing the love of Christ, especially to the little ones who are watching us more closely than we realize.
Love one another… and when in doubt, start counting.
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