Enabling: Tough Love
Living Free Every Day®
A ministry of LivingFree.org
Today's Scripture
"Discipline your children while there is hope. Otherwise, you will ruin their lives."
Proverbs 19:18 NLT
Thoughts for Today
Well-meaning parents, grandparents, teachers, and clergy…as well as school and government systems…often become enablers by softening or eliminating the natural consequences of their child's, student's, or constituent's behavior. In yesterday's devotion, we discussed Raymond, whose drug problem ended in tragedy. That entire process and the resulting tragedy affected many lives.
Raymond developed a serious drug problem by the time he was 15. His parents, instead of drawing boundaries and seeking much-needed help for their son, focused on protecting him from the natural consequences of his wrongdoing. When the school principal presented evidence that Raymond was selling marijuana, Ray's parents lashed out at the school and threatened a lawsuit.
In one year's time, Raymond was arrested five times for driving under the influence of alcohol. Each time, his parents bailed him out of jail, giving him "one more chance." Their other children were neglected. The marriage ended in divorce. Their kind of "helping" had only perpetuated Raymond's behavior and had turned into pain for the entire family.
Consider this …
If someone you love is struggling with a life-controlling problem, you can help by setting boundaries, by using tough love. Prayerfully seek out counseling. And trust God to help you through the maze.
Prayer
Father, teach me to set boundaries for my loved one and to respond to wrong behaviors with tough love, and please give me the strength to follow through. In Jesus' name …
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©Living Free 2020. Living Free is a registered trademark. Living Free Every Day® devotionals may be reproduced for personal use. When reproduced to share with others, please acknowledge the source as Living Free, Chattanooga, TN, www.LivingFree.org. Must have written permission to use in any format to be sold. Permission may be requested by sending an e-mail to [email protected]
