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QUICK TO LISTEN, SLOW TO SPEAK
When you are faced with disrespectful, disobedient, or rebellious behavior, it is natural to get angry. Unfortunately the natural response is least likely to uncover the heart issues that lie underneath the child's bad behavior. This is because the "anger of man" distracts us from a pursuit of righteousness. The anger of a parent confronted with a child's poor choice shifts the focus from the child's bad behavior to the parent's angry response.
These verses tell us to be quick to listen and slow to speak. Listening carefully, speaking little, and helping your child explore the motives behind his behavior can lead to the sort of insight that points the child toward the righteousness of God. Replace anger with empathy, and see what happens.
Responding to disobedience with empathy rather than anger is difficult, but the reward is great.
When you are faced with disrespectful, disobedient, or rebellious behavior, it is natural to get angry. Unfortunately the natural response is least likely to uncover the heart issues that lie underneath the child's bad behavior. This is because the "anger of man" distracts us from a pursuit of righteousness. The anger of a parent confronted with a child's poor choice shifts the focus from the child's bad behavior to the parent's angry response.
These verses tell us to be quick to listen and slow to speak. Listening carefully, speaking little, and helping your child explore the motives behind his behavior can lead to the sort of insight that points the child toward the righteousness of God. Replace anger with empathy, and see what happens.
Responding to disobedience with empathy rather than anger is difficult, but the reward is great.
Scripture
About this Plan
The purpose of this devotional is to see what God's Word has to say about the parenting challenges every parent faces. Each day includes a passage of Scripture and an application of that passage to the trials and triumphs of leading families to maturity in Christ. The devotionals are created by Parenting by Design, a Fort Worth ministry devoted to teaching parents to lead their children the way God lead His children.
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We would like to thank Parenting by Design for providing their daily devotional. For more information about Parenting by Design, please visit: www.parentingbydesign.com
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