One of the battles we sometimes encounter in parenting is resistance from our children. Whether it be resistance to wake up early to go to church or school. Kids have a way of giving push back that can be tiresome if endured for too long. I realized that there is one thing that can be done to counter this resistance and that is by giving a consequence. In life God gives us free will to do as we please. But our response to the direction or instruction He gives determines the result of our actions. The same goes with parenting our children, we can’t control their response but we can determine the effect their response causes. This process not only teaches them a lesson but it also shapes their character.
What “choosing your battles wisely” looks like for us parents is having a sound peace of mind. A battle I faced and sometimes still experience is my daughter’s resistance to waking up in the morning. One day I decided that I was no longer going to repeat myself to her or get stressed out from the back and forth. Instead I started to take the things that she likes away. For example, one Sunday morning she decided she did not want to go to church. We were staying over my mothers that weekend, instead of repeating myself to her to get ready I decided to lock up her tablet and anything she could have used to play a game or watch YouTube on. When I arrived back from church, she shared how she had to “survive” watching whatever was on the television, mind you my mom does not have cable in her room.
A story in the bible that reflects “choosing your battles wisely” is the story of Hannah, which can be found in chapters 1 and 2 of 1 Samuel. Hannah dealt with ridicule for a long time and chose to handle that battle with prayer. Because Hannah chose her battle wisely, she was not only blessed but she found contentment during other battles she faced. If you are currently facing a battle, I encourage you to read Hannah’s story. Pray and ask God to reveal to you how you can choose your battles wisely.
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Ephesians 6:12-13 NKJV