Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.
Summary: This passage touches on a sensitive point for many people. Relationships are easy to break and hard to mend. Having a good relationship with God our Father is priceless.
I always find it interesting how the Bible speaks to us in different ways.
Many people have fathers whom they love dearly. They are fathers who invest in their kids, set a good example in life, and are good husbands and role models.
Children who have fathers like this start out life well.
The extreme opposite, of course, is the father who isn’t a father. Relationships can be hard work, and some men choose to abandon a relationship when they don’t get their way. It is a sad fact that too many men refuse to honor their obligations to their children and the children’s mothers.
Children without fathers at home do not start life well.
I don’t mean to suggest that kids without dads can’t live a happy and fulfilling life. They can. (Especially if someone comes to know our Heavenly Father as their real dad.) Life can be good. Unfortunately, statistics show that kids from fatherless homes suffer more economically, socially, and legally.
What about the father who stays involved with the family but “embitter” the children?
Fathers who either intentionally or unintentionally go out of their way to cause their children pain are especially destructive.
I know many readers will have suffered from a father who caused pain. Sometimes, it can’t be helped. Discipline is never fun, and if mom and dad are not on the same page, the kids get mixed messages.
Some fathers, however, abuse their position and authority, and these are the people Paul is talking about. Essentially he is pointing out that children are a gift to be cared for, not broken.
The good news is that we all share the same spiritual Father. When we are discouraged by life, we can find encouragement in God.
In his first letter, the disciple, John, writes, “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” (1 John 3:1) God’s Word makes it clear that we are his children.
He cares for us in ways that are hard to describe. Our Father, God, loves us and values us (Matthew 6:26). Instead of embittering us, he forgives us ( Romans 5:8). Instead of being discouraged, we are encouraged.
Life is good for the children of God.
Application: Look to God as our Father.
Food for Thought: How does God’s love heal our discouragement?
Knowing that Jesus went to the cross for me helps immensely. If I meditate upon the cross when I am discouraged, it changes my perspective, provides peace and hope, and allows me to persevere.
Romans 5: 6 – 11 still amazes me: “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! 10For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 11Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”
Amen, Brother!
A change in perspective, from “me” to “God,” is a POWERFUL cure for discouragement. If God is willing to hang in there with us, we certainly have nothing to fear. 🙂
Good words today! I liked Rich’s response.
God heals our discouragement by giving us encouragement. It is more than “talking us up” or giving us “sage” advice.” In kneeling before the Father and giving Him the discouragement on our hearts, He assures us they not only is He in control, but He will be there to guide us in times of trouble to victory. That He is active in our lives and not passive. That we are not forsaken.
I think that is the biggest part of feeling discouraged: feeling forsaken, feeling left to our own devices, feeling inadequate to handle the circumstances alone. Through Christ we are assured that none of these things are true. In serving Christ we see the evidence that none of these things are true.
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
John 16:33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.
Chris,
Good point! Feeling “alone” is a horrible feeling. Realizing that we are not alone, that our God cares for us, loves us, and is present with us is a wonderful encouragement!
Thank you!
Good stuff Guy’s!
How does God’s love heal our discouragement?
In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, Ephesians 1:11
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. John 15:16
God is bigger than our ability to ever comprehend, His plans are perfect in every way, His love for all mankind is unending and in His foreknowledge He has chosen to give each free will, the opportunity to choose the life we will live knowing all our works will one day be judged, and we will each receive reward or consequences of our actions.
As a child I would be stripped of my clothing, tied to a bed and beaten with a rope. When I refused to cry, I would be burnt with cigarettes until I did. “ I recall swearing I would never do that to another human being.” By 17 I was one of seven boys standing before a judge being given 30 days to be in the military or go to jail. I chose the Marine Corps and my life began to change.
After my tour I began working as a base laborer “Heavy”, in time rose into management and eventually very effectively ran large manufacturing companies for others.
God called me, and I received Christ at 30 years old. I went to my parents and told them about Jesus, My father began to cry and said to me, “ I have worked my whole life trying to keep you out of church and now here you are a blank, blank Christian.” I simply closed my bible and left. In time we no longer saw each other and at some point his life on earth came to an end. He died a bitter man.
I started my own companies, two failed but the third took off like a rocket and I retired at 54. I have traveled the world being used by God to tell people about Jesus on airplanes, in China, National Parks, Rest areas and Grocery stores. Everyone needs to know the truth, and if they paused near me, I would tell them about Jesus.
Today I am 80 years old, Gods Love has given me life and I have definitely lived it abundantly! Gods love is far more powerful than the hate and anger of man, turn to Him and we find comfort and rest in His Son Jesus Christ.
Thank you, Ron!
I LOVE your testimony! I know it was a painful road, but what a glorious story line! Coming to know Jesus is coming home!
R2T2, thanks for sharing. I was raised in a strict Christ centered home from the time I was born. I thank God often for his many blessings and my childhood. God has richly blessed me and my family. Thanks for sharing your story.
Thank you, Paul!
🙂
How does God’s love heal our discouragement?
God’s love let’s us know that we have value. He desires a relationship with us. He sees us, knows us, and loves us. He never lies to us, keeps His promises. Never forsakes us or abandoned us.
Thank you, Tim!
That is one of the things about God I continue to marvel at: He really does want a relationship with us! His presence is affirming and encouraging and very, very real!