To The Parent Who Feel Defeated

Today was one of those days. I felt defeated. Nobody told me how difficult it could be to be a parent. 

It can be difficult to control our thoughts and feelings, but as Proverbs 4:23 says, "above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it", we must win the battle to overcome the feelings of defeat, because that feeling can lead to negative actions, and our children are watching. To change, we must start with changing our inward thoughts and feelings. 

I have actually heard that before. Many times. How can we actually go about positive change, though? It's a known fact that changing your thoughts and feelings isn't easy, but with God, you can overcome. 

Galatians 5:22

"But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, against such things there is no law"

Each of these virtues can be translated into an outward action; an overt behavior. For instance, how do you show love? What does "love" look like? 

Focus on behaviorally defining each value/character and reflect on how replacing negative thoughts and feelings with positive ones will show in our outward behaviors, and make a difference not only in our own life, but in how we go about parenting our young ones.