Spirit Lead Parent

I write “parent” because whether you are a single parent or a married couple, each parent must nurture their children in a special way. However, if you are married each parent though they are one, has special gifts in certain areas that can help solve discipline issues. It is important the father in any child’s life single or not, take an active roll with the bringing up of their children. It takes both parents to love and help their child grow up to be the best they can be. It seems that discipline is no longer part of our culture. Let’s take a look at our society today; children are getting involved with other children who have no discipline in their homes. More and more crimes are being committed; drugs are more prevalent than ever before, children are being enticed by older children to take drugs as early as six years old. Children do not know the difference between right and wrong, because the parents will not make the time to teach them, and those who can, rarely practice the difference themselves. This behavior leads to total disrespect to parents, other adults and the elderly as well as other peer groups. In the book of Proverbs, Solomon’s mother taught him life values. These teachings I highly recommend to all parents single or married. Proverbs 29: 15 say, “To discipline and reprimand a child produces wisdom, but a mother is disgraced by an undisciplined child.” (New Living Translation) Verse 17 tells us to discipline our children, and they will give us happiness and peace of mind. When children are not taught the word of God they run wild, but if they are and they obey God’s word they whole family is in harmony. Children cannot grow to have healthy lives without parental leadership, which may require applying a little enforcement called a few, “swats.” For some of you who do not know what a swat is, a couple of taps on the bottom with a fly swatter or flimsy house shoe. Do Not Spank Your Child In Anger. Do not allow yourself to become out of control. Send them to their room and you go pray and ask for God’s guidance on how to handle the problem. Then you take the Bible into the room after you have control and read the scriptures to them as to what God has to say on the issue. Explain to them why you must get to the “seat” of the problem. There are times children will do dumb stupid things that will annoy you to the end of your last nerve. This is the time you stop and get a hold of yourself and let the word of God remind you of self control. Proverbs 16: 32 tell us; “It is better to be patient than powerful; it is better to have self-control than to conquer a city. (NLT) Galatians 5: 22 But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, He will produce this kind of fruit in us, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, and self control. Here there is no conflict with the law.” (NLT) It is important to display these qualities in the presence of your children which will help them to develop the same characteristics in their lives. God disciplines those He loves and He punishes those of us who are His children. Hebrews 12: 6, “For the Lord disciplines those He loves, and He punishes those he accepts as His children.” Guide With Love – Though is important to discipline our children it is utterly important to discipline with love. Talk to your child with a calm even tone, as though you are carrying on a normal conversation. Scolding or nagging when disciplining them not only makes them feel worse than they should, but causes them to become agitated and will make things worse. This will also cause other problems later with friends and family members, even teachers, causing them to become aggressive. It is not necessary to verbally beat them to a pulp for their mistake. Once you have explained to them what they had done was wrong, and you explained to them the plan of action for punishment, and then close the matter. Let them know you will love them and you will always be there for them. We all have rules we must follow and when we do wrong we will be punished. God is not pleased with those who do not follow His rules, (way) of life. Believe it not, we parents need more teaching than our children! Shalom. Cheryl Kroll © January 11, 2010