Fathers and Children

Fathers can be pretty hard on their children. As a father, I can say that from my own experience, and I know it from hearing from other fathers and their children. I believe most of us are trying to do what is best for our children. It just seems right to most men to be strict and make sure their children follow the rules and do what is right. However, Paul let us know that it is possible for us to exasperate our children by coming down hard on them, and that is what we must not do. (Ephesians 6:4) Instead, we need to take them by the hand and lead them in the way of the Master. This is God's wise counsel for fathers, but I believe that all of us can learn from this truth, whether we are fathers, mothers, or grandparents.

When we discipline a child by correcting wrong behavior or teaching them to do the right thing, we can come down on them too harshly. We can try to force them to do something so strictly that we exasperate them. They want to give up, because they think they can never live up to the desires of their parents. We must never let that happen. That breaks their will  to do right, and they will go the wrong way. What we must do is to have a relationship with them that relates to them. We must take them by the hand figuratively, if not physically, and lead them one step at a time to know why they need to stop doing what the Lord says is wrong, or they need to start doing what the Lord says is right. Once they know we care, and they know what the Lord expects, it is much more likely they will do the right thing. Children do not need to be broken. They need to be encouraged and led through sincere, loving relationships.

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Tomorrow, I intend to read Philippians 1-3.