Exasperate

Daily Vitamin

Exasperate — “Children, if you want to be wise, listen to your parents and do what they tell you, and the Lord will help you. For the commandment, “Honor your father and your mother,” was the first of the Ten Commandments with a promise attached: “You will prosper and live a long, full life if you honor your parents.” Fathers, don’t exasperate your children, but raise them up with loving discipline and counsel that brings the revelation of our Lord.” (Ephesians 6:1-4, The Passion Translation)

Exasperate is a tough word. Some translations use the words “provoke to wrath,” “frustrate,” or “make mad.” It can also mean “to place hard tasks or burdens on.” Many times we want to use Proverbs 13:24 to justify our harsh actions: “Don’t spare the rod and spoil the child.” Instead, maybe we should be using Proverbs 22:6, “train up a child.”

Raising children and making disciples can be hard in today’s world. But it can be done. Love  definitely has discipline in it, but it comes with correction and peace —not wrath and judgement. When we raise others up without exasperating them, they will honor and receive that promise found in the Ten Commandments!

Be a Blessing, Sir Gregory

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