As I took a moment, to take a breath and look around my room, I saw scattered books and toys, dolls, socks and shoes. Pile on top of pile on top of colorful pile of shirts, pants and dresses and me, on the tip top of all of the piles, screaming!
What was I screaming about? Who knows, I used to throw a temper tantrum at the drop of a hat. If I was getting ready for school, or bed or just about anything, and things weren’t to my liking, I would scream, throw things ,pull my clothes out of my closet and sit right in the middle of it all until I got my way, or gave up, and it was almost always the latter.
I wasn’t a spoiled kid, but I did suffer from anxiety and depression. At the time no one understood what was wrong with me, we just knew that I wasn‘t like all of the other kids, so I went untreated, for many more years.
My poor parents had to deal with me and I’m glad that they were the incredible people that they were, and that knew Jesus, or I don’t know where I would be today.
Proverbs 13:24, “He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.” Some believe that this scripture gives license to spank or hurt their kids, but I don't believe that is what that scripture is saying! What it does say is to discipline your children with a rod and if you look up rod in the dictionary, one meaning is a kind of a staff, used to steer the herds, not to beat them.
My parents guided me firmly, but lovingly, like a Sheppard guides his sheep. In the Bible the rod became known as a sign of authority, Moses carried a rod when he returned to Egypt. Sheppard’s would lead the way and count their valuable sheep with a rod. It was even illegal to kill a servant with a rod.
I finally did get the help that I needed for my depression and anxiety, but not until I was an adult. I don’t throw temper tantrums anymore either. I do try to steer my kids with my imaginary rod and with help from God’s word and the Holy Spirit.
As David said in Psalm 23: “I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and staff they comport me.” Let your rod guide and comfort your child.
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