Friday, April 29, 2011

No talking! No emotion!

"If you have trouble talking too much, how do you accomplish the difficult goal of remaining calm and quiet in a discipline situation?"  Great question!  I am enjoying the book, 1-2-3 Magic for Christian Parents.  Effective Discipline for Children 2-12, by Thomas Phelan and Chris Webb.  They state that the more parents talk, the more frustrated their kids will tend to be and that parents should not spend a whole lot of time trying to reason with their kids during times of discipline.  They state that parents are often mistaken by treating their kids like little adults.  They call this the "little adult assumption."

Back to the original question...for those of us who enjoy talking, we may have a more difficult time keeping our mouths shut in times of intense emotion than someone who finds it more easy to be on the quiet side.  Being an outgoing, talkative person, I have found the following verse helpful to say over and over. "Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.  For man's anger does not bring about the righteous life God desires." James 1:19  "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs so that it may bring grace to all who here." 

The authors sum it up by stating: No Talking!  No Emotion!

"A full gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control."  Proverbs 29:11
"When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise."  Proverbs 10:19

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