Ephesians 6:1-4: Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 "Honor your father and mother"—which is the first commandment with a promise— 3 "so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth." 4 Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.”
The dictionary defines the word "Exasperate" as to "irritate intensely; infuriate" Why would a father (or mother) intentionally irritate or infuriate their child? Why is this an issue?
Simply because it happens all the time.
As parents, when faced with a difficult situation with our children, we have a choice.... Our behavior can model that of Christ or not. Our decision making can be based on the teachings of scripture or not. Too often, we pick the side that's easiest or non-intentional. When our kids want our ears to listen...we badger and correct. When they want our involvement, we sometimes show them that we are inconvenienced. When they want our understanding...we offer blind punishment.
It's not that we mean to... Sometimes it's all that we know how to do. Our parents treated us that way and we really don't know any other method... Or sometimes we infuriate our kids because we answer without thinking about how it will affect THEM...just how resolving it will bring US peace.
None of us intentionally seek to irritate or infuriate...but when it happens...it's up to us to fix it. If your parents infuriated you...you can be different. If you have irritated your children in the past...you can stop. Remember, we represent Christ to our kids...let's pray for each other and work together to build (as Pastor Troy says) "arrows" that we can positively shoot out into the world.
Pastor Brian
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
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