A new decade has arrived. What will the next ten years bring
for your life? These questions are prominent in our thoughts as the new year
begins. If you are a parent, these considerations have, no doubt, crossed your
mind in the last few days. What kind of a parent will you be in this decade?
What are the new issues that your children will face in the next ten years? As
the decade begins, it is not uncommon for your thoughts to vacillate between
hope and worry. There are new opportunities, but also new dangers to face. At
the end of the day, when you are left alone with your thoughts, what do you
think about?
The Holy Spirit gives particular directions for our
thoughts. He says to think about whatever is excellent and praiseworthy ( Philippians
4:8-9). This positive directive follows a negative admonition in the fourth
chapter of Philippians to avoid worry. Parents, these words are especially
important for you. In the face of all the challenges of rearing children, God
directs you to focus your thoughts on those things that are excellent. This
command goes far beyond simply having a positive attitude. This command is
designed to lead you into a deepening relationship with your Savior as you
follow him in parenting.
Hear Paul's directive to you as you consider what you will think
about. This is significant. We have control over what we choose to think about.
Circumstances and difficult relationships do not have to control your thoughts.
Finally, brothers, whatever is
true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is
lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think
about such things. Phil. 4:8
Following this directive leads to the peace of God in your
mind. Parents, the Holy Spirit wants you to be controlled by thoughts that are excellent. In
the next several posts we will look at three topics that call for excellent
thoughts. These topics are basic, and yet they are profound. Here they are:
How to
love your children biblically.
How to
listen to your children biblically.
How to
talk to your children biblically.
These tasks require thoughts that are both excellent and
praiseworthy. If you give yourself to pursuing these three tasks, both your parenting and your
relationship with Christ will experience the wonderful God of peace in new and
fruitful ways. Please pray that these next posts will be a blessing to you and
others as we begin 2010.
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