Patience in raising children

Psalm 127 verse 3 says that Children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward (ESV). This portion of scripture reminds us that we have the privilege of raising God’s children. This is the best outlook when it comes to giving the best to our children. One, that we are just but custodians and God is the Source. Two, if God is the source then, we have to raise Children His way.

The journey of raising children can be accompanied by challenges that tend to wear us down and possibly giving up if we are not careful. Children are indeed a blessing, but along the way, many tend to take a different stand because of the stretch that comes as we raise them.

We all want children that will not give us a hard time, but the truth is that we will have to patiently develop and train them to be good. The process needs patience. Unless we understand this, we may fail in raising our children.

Having understood that Children belong to God, we also need as parents to include ourselves as His children. As God’s children, we can all attest that He has been patient with us in many areas of our lives. Psalm 103:8 ESV says, “The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love”. You can see that if God never extended His love and mercy, we would have never been where we are today.

We need to extend the same love to our children. This should be intentional because we have received the same from our loving God. Patience is closely associated with mercy. Because of God’s Love, He is merciful and patient with us. When it comes to raising children, patience is giving them room to grow as you gently instruct them on the right path. Patience does not write them off. It always says, “I believe my child will change for better anytime, and because of love, I am willing to wait for that to happen”.  

Colossians 3:12-13 ESV says, “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, (13) bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive”. We can see from this scripture that forgiveness is very important in God’s family. If your child needs your forgiveness, extend it to him/her. This is because patience works best where there is forgiveness. The secret here is to choose not to be offended because you have chosen to be patient with your child as you raise them in God’s ways.

You are blessed!