{ Reflect...: Day 16} How Do We Discipline out of Love?

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Day 16} How Do We Discipline out of Love?

1 Corinthians 13: 4-7

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres".

Love does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.

In our discipline; we as parents need to ensure that our discipline is purely out of Love and not out of spite. So we can rejoice in what the right kind of discipline teaches our children.

How do we discipline out of Love?

* We block out the thought of; "They deserved it"; because then we are disciplining out of spite; not love.

* We focus on correction and redirection; instead of control.

* Our ultimate desire is for "their" good, not ours.

* We seek Gods advice in His word when we feel as if we are ready to just blurt out some ridiculous consequence out of anger.

* We take the time to teach them what value or moral they seem to be struggling with. Not in a "I told you so" kind of way.

* No matter what; our discipline towards our children should always display that we Love them, and that Love can never be erased.

* Keep a close guard on our words while teaching them Gods truth- if we're teaching them God's advice; it is our job to administer it to them in a Christ-Like way. Do not use his name to make our children feel guilty- what will that ultimately teach them in the long run?

* No Matter What- Our discipline should display that Jesus Loves them; even through the hard times, and that His Love can never be erased.

I would love to hear more; any good advice out there?

Leave a comment below; I'd love to hear your thoughts! :)