Parenting Tip #2 Perseverance

Perseverance

Although parents need to be careful not to focus on behavior alone, it’s important to realize that sometimes behavior can change the heart. Ideally, we change from the inside out, adjusting the heart and giving God greater control, resulting in outward change. But that isn’t how it always works, with children or adults. In the Bible we read God’s commands for behavior—and his expectation of obedience. These commands are important not just for their external value, but because obeying brings inner change as well.

Sometimes people just don’t feel like doing what’s right. Does that excuse their behavior? After all, they don’t want to be hypocrites, and since they don’t feel like doing what’s right, maybe they should continue to do the wrong thing until their hearts change. Of course the faulty reasoning here is obvious. Even if you don’t feel like it, you need to do the right thing.
Many of the chores children do are a struggle for them. Unless your kids are exceptional, they get frustrated with work and view cleaning their rooms, washing the dishes, or raking leaves as an intrusion into their lives. In those moments, pray for heart change, talk about deeper issues, but continue to hold the line.

Children who learn to work hard are eventually surprised by the amount of work they can do, but it takes time. By teaching children how to fulfill their responsibilities, even when they don’t feel like it, develops the character quality of perseverance in their hearts.