While I was on vacation this week, I noticed a number of people becoming upset with their children. I encountered one very dramatic scene. I saw a father explode in anger with his twelve-year-old son. The father grabbed his son by the neck and jerked him aside to scold him for what he had said. The son had simply pointed out a mistake his father had made over the pronunciation of a word. It sounded funny and the son laughed at his father's misstep. I had the wonderful opportunity of talking with the father and pointing out what I saw happening.

The father's core fear is being belittled. The father was very sensitive about people making fun of him. Whenever he feels put down, he reacts to anyone who "makes" him feel belittled. The father's fear of belittlement is his own problem. He can choose to either attack the person he feels belittled by, or he can choose to take his concerns to God and deal with his own fears in a private setting with God.

I showed the father how to pray immediately to God and thank him for being reminded that God is in control and actually wants man to humble himself like Christ did on earth.

When I am belittled, I tell the Lord that I want to be reminded to lower myself in service to others in a humble way. Humility is placing yourself at the bottom of whatever number of people you are with. If I'm with 5 people, I want to be number 5. I want to be balanced, God first, others second, and myself third. Balance each of these, making time for each of them every day.

Recommended Resources:

Buy The Key to Your Child's Heart

Buy Homes of Honor Parenting Series

© Copyright 2004 Smalley Relationship Center

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