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Parenting by the Book

Proverbs   Study
Study 103

STUDY 103

Text: Proverbs 14
13 June 2003

Dear Parents,

A SOBERING TRUTH
One of the most sobering truths that we must come to grips with is this truth stated in this proverb.

The heart knows its own bitterness.
And a stranger does not share its joy.

Proverbs 14:10

What does this proverb mean? Let us ponder the following thoughts.

“The heart knows it own bitterness…”

1. We cannot always be there for our children

As parents, we try our hardest to cushion life for our children. We want to be there for them in every possible situation. We may want to do that, but the fact is that this would not be possible.

2. Nobody can fully enter into the feelings of another person

This is a solemn truth that few understand let alone accept. There will be times when our children will experience “bitterness”.

Sometimes they feel that they cannot “open up” and share their bitter experiences freely with us.

There is no need to panic when this happens. Let us remember this solemn truth. Only the individual heart will know the depth of the bitterness of life.

3. What should we do then?

It is important that we teach our children how to cope with life’s many bitter experiences – on their own! This does not mean that we cannot try and help them. We just need to remember our limitations.

Our children need to fight their own battles. They need to learn how to accept that there will be times when they will experience “bitterness” in life. If they are well taught, they will be able to cope much better.

“And a stranger does not share its joy”

1. There will be both experiences of “bitterness” and “joy”

The reference to the “stranger” all the more enforces the observations made above. Anybody else is “a stranger”.

2. Learning how to deal with the challenge of “aloneness”

It is good to teach children that there will be times when they may feel “alone”. There is nothing to fear in being in that state. However, they are going to need help to learn this lesson well. That is one of the challenges all parents must accept.

Prayerfully,
Pastor Charlie

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