Supernatural Parenting - Family Counseling Ministries

Family Counseling Ministries -

Many parents come to me for counseling because they cannot get their children to obey. They have read books on child discipline by the “experts.” They have tried “time-out,” scolding, solitary confinement and grounding—all to no avail.

Each week I see discouraged parents who don’t know what to do to get their children to obey.

Most of them have read Psalm 127:3, which assures them,

Children are a gift of the Lord, and the fruit of the womb is a reward.

Parents describe their home, however, as a war zone, where the children are in charge and peace is non-existent. They are discouraged, frustrated and often defeated. I frequently hear them say they are “fed-up” with their kids’ disobedient and disrespectful attitudes. In a word, they want “Help!”

Many of these mothers and fathers admit to having approached their child-rearing years with somewhat of an overconfident attitude. Most of them had few problems conceiving their children, and then they made it successfully through the trials of pregnancy. The birth itself may have been a painful ordeal, but they forgot the pain the moment they first held their precious baby in their arms.

“Doing what comes naturally,” does not apply to parenting. Our thoughts are not God’s thoughts. His ways are higher than our ways.

They assumed that the skill of parenting would come naturally. “After all,” they reasoned, “what could be so hard about raising children?” Yet, we find in God’s Word, that our natural inclinations are often opposed to God’s principles of wisdom. The writer of Proverbs 3:5,6 instructs us,

Do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.

The words of Proverbs 14:12 further reinforce this truth,

There is a way that seems right to a man, but the end is the way of destruction.

Given the many child-rearing philosophies that abound today, there are countless disciplinary measures that are ineffective, even though they seem right.

God commands show us how to train up our children in a supernatural way.

Given such clear warnings, parents would do well to search out the biblical truths pertaining to godly child rearing principles. Every man or woman who desires to parent successfully must acknowledge the truth that he or she needs God’s grace in this endeavor, every moment and every step of the way.

God call mothers and fathers to raise their children in a supernatural way. Parents should know what God’s Word says about child discipline, and they must ask the Holy Spirit to empower them to carry out this divine assignment in a manner that honors and pleases the Lord.

Dr. Don Dunlap, a pioneer in the placement of Pastoral Counselors in the offices of Christian physicians, has conducted over twenty thousand appointments during his ministerial career. His counseling practice includes adults, children and families in crisis. Dr. Dunlap is committed to facilitating a network of telephone counselors. His goal is to provide help for the many people unable to meet face to face with a competent Bible-based counselor. For a complete library of Dr. Dunlap’s articles, indexed by topic, go to Family Counseling Ministries. You may also make an appointment for personal telephone counseling by clicking on Family Counseling Ministries. Family Counseling Ministries is a Christianity.com ministry Partner.