Loving others can be difficult.
Ironically, showing love to the people who are in our house can often pose the most challenges. Maybe especially sometimes the little people.
Just by being kids, they can expose the selfish, impatient and ugly parts of ourselves. We can easily resent the mirror that they hold up to our character flaws, instead of allowing that reflection to spur us to change.
At different times, one child or another in our households may be making it particularly hard to be loving. It may be a phase they’re going through. It may be a phase we’re going through. It can be that we’re very much alike. Or, maybe we’re very different — and there’s always an underlying current of potential conflict. It just takes a spark to light the fuse.
I have experienced periods of intense battles with both of my children at different times over the last 18 years. It can stretch us tremendously to show love to a difficult child.
What has helped our relationship the most during those times is to spend immense amounts of time praying for that child. Pray for them every time you think of them, in fact. I’ve prayed Scripture over them. I’ve asked God to do a supernatural work in my heart. I’ve asked Him to help me to act in love, even when I felt extreme anger over their attitudes or behavior.
Which child are you currently experiencing the most conflict with?
If you’re not currently having conflict with a child, who do you see the potential to have conflict with in the future? Start praying now.
Today’s Challenge: Choose a Scripture for that child and a Scripture for you. Pray these Scriptures over yourself and this child as part of your daily quiet time. Put them on index cards and post them somewhere visible so you remember to pray throughout the day. Ask God to soften your heart and strengthen your relationship.
It may not happen in your timing, but praying God’s Word over our children is powerful. He promises in His Word that it will not return to us void. (Isaiah 55:11)
