Discipline and Parenting

Discipline. Such a harsh word. But is it really? Most people, including myself, tend to think discipline is all about correction. However, there is so much more to that word. The root word of discipline is "disciple". So when you are discipling someone, say your child, you are giving them instruction on how to live life. II Timothy 3:16 tells us that God's Word is useful in teaching, rebuking, correcting and training us in the way we should go. The same holds true for us when we disciple our children. We are not only correcting them, but we are teaching them and training them for life! What an immense responsibility. One that requires us as parents to have confidence and consistency. Does anyone else struggle with this?

This morning as I was doing my quiet time I was challenged by this. It seems there are days that I lack the confidence and consistency I need to discipline my children. I was encouraged as I read from the Word this morning. Here are some amazing verses Proverbs offers us in disciplining our children.

13:24 "He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him."
19:18 "Discipline your son, for in that there is hope;"
22:6 "Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it."
22:15 "Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far from
him."
24:14 "Know also that wisdom is sweet to your soul; if you find it, there is a future hope for
you."
29:15 "The rod of correction imparts wisdom, but a child left to himself disgraces his mother. "
29:17 " Discipline your child, and he will bring you peace; he will bring delight to your soul."

Here is one is Hebrews:
12:11 "No discipline at the time seems pleasant, but painful. Later on however, it produces a
harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

So, in order for me to have the confidence to discipline my children consistently I need to understand that God has empowered me to do this. By disciplining them I am teaching them life skills that they will need when they get older. I will be instilling knowledge and wisdom in them. I will be helping them learn how to be a best friend, a student, a follower of God, an employee, and possibly a parent one day. I want to raise responsible children who will know right from wrong and understand that there are consequences to their actions. I would be doing them such and injustice if I didn't.

It's encouraging to me to know that God disciplines me because he loves me, because He delights in me and has my best interests in mind. He wants me to be the best I can be. Discipline isn't negative. It's good. It's God training us and molding us. If God gave up on us and never rebuked us or showed us a better way, we would be lost.

My prayer as I seek to raise children who love God is that I will be consistent with them. I have to remember the main goal of parenting is to raise an independent adult. An individual who will be making her own decisions one day and have her very own family one day. The verse in Hebrews is so true! None of us like to be disciplined, but how grateful are we for our parents who were consistent with us? I owe my work ethic and everything to godly parents who taught me right from wrong. I'm appreciative of it now, though at the time, not so much. :)

So, parents may we band together and discipline our children. By disciplining them we are LOVING them!! Philippians tells us, we can do everything through Christ who strengthens us!

And a BIG special thanks to my parents who did not spare the rod with me, but who taught me, and modeled for me a "better way". I love you mom and dad!