When the Lord designed each one of our children, and us, He gave us talents and abilities we are to use for His Glory. When we allow Him to cultivate and train those things in us, they become areas of great strength in our character.
Well, guess who doesn't like that?
The evil one prowls about seeking to destroy us and looking for ways to thwart God's Plan . He hopes desperately to prevent us from maturing in our gifts. And that is important for us to understand as parents.
So this morning when our youngest chose to display a stubborn heart, it was necessary to look beyond the stubbornness. As part of administering discipline, the Lord gives parents discernment so we are able understand which character quality is being distorted. Then we can point to God's purpose and design as we correct and instruct.
In her case, stubbornness can grow into determination and perseverance, which both greatly glorify the Father. So as I correct the wrong attitude of stubbornness, I need to also speak the blessing over her of God's design and encourage her in learning determination and perseverance. This helps redirect the emotion of the moment (especially with her :) into a constructive desire.
Beloved child,
The Lord has created you to bring Him great glory. He placed in you special talents and character qualities so that you can reflect Him to the world. You are struggling right now with being stubborn and the evil one would like nothing more than for that stubbornness to grow in you. He knows and fears how the Lord wants to use that fierce strength to accomplish great things for His Kingdom. So you must recognize that you have a choice to make. You need to choose to allow the Lord to have His way with your heart. When you feel that stubborn feeling rising in your spirit, you need to pray and ask Him for Grace to grow, instead, in perseverance and determination. He wants you to ask Him for help. He wants to bless you in this. He will come to your aid. "I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and His incomparably great power for us who believe." (Ephesians 1:17-19a)
The actual "discipline" session was not well received. But when her heart finally yielded, there was a precious time of restored fellowship (snuggle-time) and prayer. After a while, I read this blessing to her and talked with her about it. Giving them a vision for what the Lord desires to accomplish in and through them renews their hope. It's the same for us. When the Lord allows us to see His purpose, it gives us hope that we are on the right path and He is growing and maturing us.
"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
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