Are your kids getting on your nerves? Do you wonder why you have to tell your kids to do the same thing over and over and over again? Why can’t your kids get along? The baby is screaming again and you have no idea what made you think you could handle another child. So, are you discouraged in your parenting?
Someone recently put on facebook an interesting article titled “21 Things Spiritually Strong People Don’t Do.” As I was reading it, I thought about what spiritually strong parents shouldn’t do. For the sake of space, I narrowed it down to:
Things Spiritually Strong Parents Don’t Do –
Rush to a Solution without Prayer
This should be the first and the last thing on this list. Spiritually strong parents pray. Did you get that? They pray – without ceasing. The only way to know if you are doing the right thing when parenting your kids is to be covered in prayer. Ask a few elderly ladies at your church to be your personal prayer circle. They will be delighted to be asked and you will be surrounded by prayer warriors. When giving them a specific request, tell them the truth. They won’t think less of you for not being perfect. (I Thessalonians 5:17)
Ignore the advice of others
Spiritually strong parents look to those who have gone before them for advice and counsel. There is no excuse for going it alone. There are always parents who have kids older than yours who can spare you from making their mistakes. Don’t be afraid to ask. (Proverbs 13:13)
Reject help when it’s offered
There is no glory in being a lone ranger, especially when things are tough. Not only should you accept help when it is offered, spiritually strong people know when to ask for it as well. People don’t offer because they don’t know what the need is. People respect those who humbly ask for help and are gracious when they receive it. (Proverbs 21:21)
Resist change when it’s called for
Life is full of transitions. Things are going well with one of your kids and then he goes through a normal, age-related transition and everything is turned upside down. Why? “Transition” has a one word definition, and it is “change”. When kids go through a transition, they drag their parents through it too, willing or not. These changes are on top of transitions such as a move, new baby added to the family, new job, loss of job and so forth. Change is a normal part of life. Wise parents learn to pro-actively embrace it.
(Luke 12:22-25)
Be defined by what other people say about them
Women love to pick each other apart – behind one’s back, of course. Why? We do this because we think it makes us look better. To whom? God? In His mind it makes us look worse. You give gossips victory when you let them get to you. When it comes to parenting, the only people you need to be defined by are God and your spouse. Your children have minds of their own from the moment they draw their first breath. When you least expect it and when you least want it, they are going to do something (intentional or not) that will embarrass the socks off you. The quicker you get over it and let it go the quicker others will as well. It is your choice.
(Romans 1:29-32)
Well, I think this is enough for one sitting, don’t you? If one or more of these applies to you in a negative way, pray about it and ask God how you can turn it into a positive thing.