Peace in ParentingSample

Sometimes, it is so easy to get angry at our children because perhaps they lied to us, are trying to emotionally manipulate a specific situation, or are being rebellious and defiant. Or, they could be all three (God bless your soul). The Bible says it is okay to be angry but not sin out of anger. What does this mean? It means you can be upset but act in haste, speak evil or vindictive things out of anger, and do not rage upon another person.

As parents, it is absolutely normal for us to lash out at our kids when we do not normally lash out at anyone else because our yearning and deepest desire is for them to be good humans. During these moments of frustration, we must not forget that God wants this more than we do. He is their creator, He is their father, and we must still trust Him with their lives.

Whatever you are going through, ensure you are praying through the emotion and pray for wisdom and guidance when you feel this emotion start to manifest itself toward your children. Pray the armor of God over them every morning, and if they can read, have them put it over themselves. There is power in the tongue.

Be quick to listen and slow to speak, breathe, and ask The Holy Spirit to be with you in your response. Remember that our children are watching our every move and will mimic how they treat others with how we treat them. But REALLY remember that they will also draw their version of God’s love with how they see you love them, and if they see wrath and anger every time they make a mistake then they will see God in the same way; and His love is absolutely not that kind of love…

For His love is gracious, kind, and unconditional, and it is renewed every single morning. God does not harbor our wrongdoings daily to determine how good He is to us. However, He graciously continues to guide, nurture, protect, comfort, and give us life. As parents, even when it is hard, we must practice these same biblical principles with our children so they can see the true manifestation of who God really is.