“I can do what I want!”

“I can do whatever I want!”

Does this not sound like something a bratty 6 year old would say?

Yes, but in reality, it’s a truth so many people {even adults} are living by in our society today.

We are one of the most selfish, entitled cultures…and it all starts with a lack of DISCIPLINE and self-control. I know, we have plenty of people who are generous & kind too, but by and large I do think it’s an issue. Don’t you? And it’s rooted in selfishness.

So many think we are causing our kids to suffer when we discipline them, when in fact, the opposite is true. If we don’t teach our children self-control (one of the fruits of the spirit), we are setting them up to experience some major difficulties and hardships later in life. The Bible is very clear that you reap what you sow. (And even people who aren’t believers seem to believe this truth!) So if we sow selfishness, gluttony, lack of self control, etc., we aren’t going to reap debt/financial struggles, broken relationships, insecurity, obesity & health issues related to it, etc.

I LOVE this wisdom from my friend Lori. She has been an awesome mentor to me and shares lots of Biblical wisdom through her Instagram and blog. (Not popular by worldly standards by any means, but shew….it’s some good stuff and based on the Word of God!)

I know that’s not popular because people don’t want to “be told what to do.” But, we all have to answer to somebody sooner or later. And if we don’t respect authority & learn that early, that’s going to make us unemployable and struggle in our walk with the Lord.

A part of the reason we must discipline our children is because our heavenly father disciplines us since there are consequences for sin. I have to remind myself of this when I’m tempted to let my boys get away with too much. (I definitely tend to be more lenient than strict.) And if it’s always done from a place of love (& never out of anger or frustration) and with WAY more loving contacts throughout the day, there will be positive results. Children (& teenagers) actually crave boundaries, even if they don’t act like it.

And like Lori said, self-control is like a muscle….we have to practice it. It goes hand in hand with self-discipline. The BEST way to teach this to our children is to model it for them in our own lives. We can’t expect them to “do as I say and not as I do.” They are going to do what we do. (Ahem…put the PHONE down, Danielle.)

Lack of self control doesn’t lead to anything positive.

Anyway, I just wanted to share that. It’s so important for us to recognize this truth and teach it to our children if we want them to have abundant lives.