‘Children, always obey your parents. This is pleasing to the Lord.’ – Colossians 3:20
I love chocolate! Sometimes I think I live my life like when I want chocolate, I want it NOW and I want to eat it NOW. I don’t want to wait until later. I want to do what I want to do NOW and the hell with the rest! I have so many plans and dreams for myself, but often it feels like my parents just want to pull a handbrake on my life, prevent me from achieving my dreams, and do the things I want to do NOW.
It can seems like your parents are considerate of you at times and sometimes it can seem like the opposite. Your expectations may be shattered or it may feel like your parents expectations is just too much for you. Maybe you’re not allowed to go out with certain friends, or you’re only allowed to go out on weekends and not in the week. Perhaps some of your friends can do things and visit places without any restrictions or rules from their parents. I can believe that this bothers you! But as I read this verse in Colossians, I began to think, why did Paul write it?
Why do our parents give us house rules and restrictions on events? Why are there consequences if we break rules? I know it doesn’t always seem that way, but you need to remember that your parents have the best in mind for you. They want you to become responsible young adults who will be able to make good choices. They look at the long-term consequences of discipline and responsibilities, something you don’t always think about NOW.
God wants you to remember your parents are there to protect you, guide you, and create a safe growing environment for you. Talk openly with your parents if you don’t understand why they make specific rules. That’s how you’re going to start to understand the consequences of choices.
Therefore, remember that eating chocolate EVERY time we crave it will negatively affect our health, we must learn to wait for it too. Likewise with things in everyday life.
Chocolate Restriction
Prayer: Lord, in Jesus’ Name, I ask you to give me the grace, the patience, and the strength to submit to my parents, for this is pleasing to you, too, Lord. Amen.
Challenge: Take some time to think about the long-term benefits of parental discipline.
