As many parents know, provoking a child is not a good idea. Children are notoriously incapable of handling parents’ emotional outbursts in that children barely handle their own emotions. A screaming parent is likely to trigger a scream in return. Paul, who is not a father, writes:
“And, [ye] fathers, do not ye provoke your sons to wrath; but nourish ye them in the teaching and chastising of the Lord.”
Recall how the Lord Jesus teaches in the synagogue at twelve — He teaches with authority. Recall how the Lord chastises the woman at the well — He chastises with gentleness and even good humor.
Jesus nourishes; and gains obedience and loyalty through love.
Thanks Clotilda.
Blessings, Susie.
Thanks iGameMom.
Such good advice from Scripture. And with an autistic child, it pretty much goes double. How often we have sadly fallen prey to the trap of yelling at the child when pushed beyond the point of endurance…it never works. Never. We all wind up yelling at each other when a gentle answer and maintained composure would have worked so much better.
I know first hand what you mean, Jeff. Blessings!
Thank you Drusilla!
Thanks so much, Michael!