Repeat Offenders - The One Year Daily Wisdom
Repeat Offenders
Read Proverbs 19
Hot-tempered people must pay the penalty. If you rescue them once, you will have to do it again.
Proverbs 19:19
Tough love gets rave reviews from those who have learned its lessons. Those in the middle of undergoing the tough-love experience, however, rarely like it! Hot-temperedness is simply one of numerous character traits that cannot be corrected or eliminated by cooperation. If a hot temper proves effective to move or cower people, that behavior will continue.
Trying to help a hot-tempered person requires calm and the use of effective negative consequences. One such consequence, described as a “penalty” by this proverb, is the cost created by hot temper: fines, repair charges, restrictions, or restitution. If a hot-tempered person is shown in any way that others are willing to “cover the costs” of his or her behavior, the behavior is simply reinforced.
Tough love is hard on the one being loved and on the one loving. We want to help. But we aren’t helping when we deflect the consequences that can teach a valuable lesson.
A WORD FOR TODAY
Tough love allows pain to teach.
Today, Lord, I pray for the hot-tempered people in my life. If I’m one of them, I include myself in my request for your help. Teach me to pay attention to the penalties.
