Parenting by the Book
STUDY 138
Text: Proverbs 15
15 February 2004
Dear Parents,
TEMPER TANTRUMS
Many children have shown temper tantrums! How do we deal with this problem? Let us consider this word of advice from the following text.
A wrathful man stirs up strife,
But he who is slow to anger allays contention.Proverbs 15:18
1. A wrathful man
What a description! This phrase describes the person who:-
a) Is given to wrath all the time.
b) Has probably been used to expressing himself in anger.
c) The consequences? Strife and contention!
2. “He who is slow to anger”
Another striking description. The opposite of “a wrathful man” is not a person who feels no anger. Rather, it is a person who is “slow to anger”.
SOME IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS
Let us consider the following thoughts concerning the problem of “wrath”.
1. Is it wrong to feel anger?
The answer is “No”. Consider the following text.
Be angry and do not sin…
Psalm 4:4
Anger is not evil in itself. One may rightly be angry with wrong and sinful deeds! The psalmist David who wrote the above text, found himself struggling with anger as he faced his enemies! They were out to destroy him! Of course, he was upset and angry with the wicked men who sought to overthrow him! But he wrestled with his problem of anger and won!
2. Can anger be effectively controlled?
The answer is “Yes”! Children can be taught how to control their anger! They can be taught how to manage their tantrums!
a) Do preventive work.
b) Teach children how to be “slow” with reference to angry responses.
c) Help children to understand that uncontrolled anger would only create more problems.
d) Help children to desire peaceful means rather than wrathful measures.
RECOGNIZING EARLY TRAITS OF AN ANGRY PERSONALITY
Look out for early traits! Arrest them! Steer the children away from wrath!
Prayerfully,
Pastor Charlie