Thank your Christian parents for their Biblical discipline
A Christian teen shares how good guidance can shape you in a big way.
As teenagers, we often look at our parents as some kind of task masters, waiting to torment us with whatever punishment or crazy thing they come up with. We like to think that they do nothing but correct and discipline us.
Take my situation for example.
Recently, I was struggling with managing my time. I knew that I spent too much time on my phone, but I hadn’t realized how bad it was until we moved. Whilst moving, I had lots of free time, and guess what I did with it? Spent it all on my phone. I found it so easy to spend hours and hours scrolling the day away.
I wanted to change, but I didn’t know how. All my efforts didn’t make a difference. I needed some help!
That’s where my parents came in.
After seeing how much time I was wasting on my phone, they gently prodded me. At first, I tried to ignore their instruction. However, they set time boundaries for me and reminded me that I needed to take breaks from my phone. In the end, this was exactly what I needed.
My parents aren’t perfect, but they want me to live well and to love Jesus more and more. I trust that they want the best for me even when I don’t want their discipline.
Sadly, this isn’t true for everyone.
But if you have Christian parents who love you and want the best for you, there’s a good chance the advice below will help you out.
So.
Why should we care about discipline? Two reasons.
1. Good discipline is good for us
I know it’s hard to hear (trust me), but most discipline is for our good. God has given parents the heavy task of caring for us. Plus, Christian parents have the additional task of raising their kids up to be saturated in God’s word.
For many of us, our parents have been Christians for a lot longer then we have, and their experience and wisdom is worth listening to. When they discipline us, it’s not because they want us to feel miserable, it’s to help align us more to who Jesus is.
For example. If my parents hadn’t been there to set boundaries for me, what do you think I would’ve turned into? Do you think all that time online was going to turn me into a godlier person?
Probably not.
Your parents’ boundaries are there for your protection, and for the good of your life! How can you grow in godliness when you’re so entrenched in talking about how annoying your parents are for disciplining you?
2. It helps us later in life
I’m almost 16. That means, (yikes), I’m not a little kid anymore. Soon I’ll be in the adult world, making my way through college, having my own life, making a lot of my own decisions.
Honestly, that scares me a bit. I feel like I’m not mature enough to do that… and that’s okay. I certainly wouldn’t be here today if it wasn’t for my parent’s guidance and discipline. They have done things for me that I won’t realize until years down the road when I’m taking care of my own kiddos.
Proverbs 22:6 says,
Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.
At first, when my parents set the boundaries for when I could use my phone, I was resistant. Now, not only am I not resistant, I’m thankful. I’ve got more time to make friends, focus more on my writing and other hobbies like baking!
Through the next five years, I’ll learn even more things that will prepare me for my life as an adult. But right now, I need discipline. I need guidance to get me through. And I’m okay with that.
If your parents are looking out for you and love you, be thankful for them! God is using them to care for you and bless you. Yes, discipline can be hard to receive, but it’s for our good. Go thank your parents and tell them how much you appreciate them.
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