“Whoever has no rule over his own spirit is like a city broken down, without walls.” Proverbs 25:28 NKJV
We are in a highly demanding society. Especially for our children because they must live in a time where ideas and principles are constantly being questioned, even the most important ones like love, life, etc. This means that only the most capable persons can lead better lives, have better jobs and opportunities, and enjoy the best of everything that today’s society has to offer. The rest will be those who will live below their means.
Capable does not mean being very smart but rather having grasped the adequate emotional intelligence to be able to respond to the societal demands of life. Demands like dealing with constant change, not only of ideas, but of ways of life. For example, violence, drugs, delinquency, easy money, a superficial life, and the pursuit of pleasures without the responsibilities that one needs to live a decent life.
To counteract all this, we need to raise children, from an early age, with discipline, firm beliefs, and values that will help them live a healthy and successful life.
On the other hand, children need to be taught to have a plan for their lives and to be persistent in achieving their goals even if they seem insurmountable.
However, it is not easy to teach this when faced with all the negative stimuli that constantly attack children and young people. As the proposed passage says, we need to form walls or barriers that provide protection and security in the future. So, we must practice responsible and intentional parenting, teaching them to build strong characters with firm beliefs that will serve them as guides later in life.
To achieve this, it is necessary to form good habits like reading the Bible. Bible stories with teachings that encourage tolerance, peace, solidarity, and serving others. This can even be reinforced by other books with positive teachings.
Habits are formed when we repeat something for three consecutive months or more. For example, if your child reads a few verses a day at a specific time he will eventually form that habit.
Reading broadens comprehension and understanding, develops analytical skills and affirms our beliefs and above all, teaches us to think, increases vocabulary, aids cognitive and emotional development, and affirms our attitudes and thoughts.
Parents must encourage reading more than television or any other activity. Set goals like reading 10 or 20 pages a day.
In the next installment, we will give you more ideas on how to instill values in your children that will ensure success.
May God be with you in all that you do today.
Dr. Miguel and Irene Garita
Family Care Ministry
Church of the Nazarene, Mesoamerica Region.
Download the document here: Instilling values in our children
