Training your child’s will

“No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful!” Hebrews 12:11 NLT

Many of the frustrating things that our children do are best ignored or minimized because they’re just being kids. But there’s a defiant attitude that, if ignored, may lead your child to a lifetime of trouble or tragedy. And training their will won’t happen quickly or easily. The old line, “Son, this is going to hurt me more than it’ll hurt you,” is often true. Doing what’s easiest for them now sets your child up for a lifetime of misery. Chuck Swindoll told a story of a defiant youngster who needed dental treatment. When asked to sit in the dentist’s chair, the boy said, “If you make me get in that chair, I’ll take off all my clothes and embarrass you and your assistant.” “It’s your decision,” the dentist said, “go ahead!” Stripped down to his underwear, the boy got into the chair. After his treatment, the boy, looking much more sheepish than defiant, asked for his clothes. “Oh, no! I’ll return them to your mother tomorrow.” The savvy mom caught the dentist’s intention and, pink with embarrassment herself, led her blushing boy through the office, down the public elevator, and across the parking lot into the car. The next day the mom called the dentist and thanked him for his wisdom and courage. “For the first time in years, we’ve had twenty-four hours without angry, defiant stand-offs!” The Bible says, “No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.”

Bible in a year: Jeremiah 12-14 and 2 Thessalonians 3