Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger; but bring them up
in the discipline and instruction of the Lord (Ephesians 6:4).

It’s all too easy for children to find their identity wrapped up
in external values like performance and appearance. Why? Largely
because those are the values their parents and teachers glorify
and reinforce. Children are applauded if they’re cute, if they
say funny things, or if they hit home runs. Thanks to the adults
in their lives, it doesn’t take long for children to internalize
and begin to live by three pervasive principles.

1 If I am physically attractive and others admire me, I will
be special.

2 If I perform well and accomplish great things, I will be
accepted.

3 If I obtain social status and others recognize me, I will
be significant.

But what about the child who isn’t very cute or entertaining?
What about the child who never wins a starring rule in the school
play or strikes out most of the time? Tragically, children like
these are often compared, rejected, or ignored by the adults in
their lives. They begin to question their identity and doubt
their worth. Satan takes advantage of the false values our
society promotes.

Children may struggle with identity and self-acceptance because
their parents struggle with the same issues. Children who grow up
with false principles for identity and acceptance don’t
automatically grow out of them when they reach adulthood. As
adults they continue to base their identity on these external
guidelines and tend to perpetuate them in their children. If you
are going to help your child realize his identity and acceptance
in Christ, you must lead the way by doing so in your own life.

Lord, give me wisdom to teach my children and grandchildren what
it means to be a child of God and to be in Christ. Forgive me for
the times I have promoted false values before them.

This daily devotional is published and distributed by
http://www.GOSHEN.net/ . It is written by Neil Anderson at
http://www.freedominchrist.com/ .