Love the Hurtful Child

As a teacher, mentor, or parent, guard your heart. You fear your child's resentment, but the Lord protects you from this natural response in the heart of one who receives correction. Over time, this sort of resentment mellows into respect; it is a surface emotion that, when both parties cry out to the Lord, does not poison the heart. 

The channel that is less protected is resentment that would flow from parent to child. It is natural for a child to resent the adult who administers discipline, this is why the Lord's protection must be in place (as it is for a praying parent).  But when Satan succeeds in forming resentment in a parent's heart toward the child, this is a more difficult challenge.  

Love steadfastly, love as God has loved you through Christ Jesus, and learn to take a blow to the heart while yet remaining steadfast in love. Love cannot fail, but loyalty can, and the tendency to relate to one another by some other rule than love can be encouraged. Recognize these strategies of the enemy and resist him.  Though God may discipline He does not ridicule or shame.  He never says "I'll be nice to you if you will be nice to Me." He says this instead:  "I will be patient and kind regardless of  your behavior. I will not dishonor you even when you dishonor Me. I will always protect and will not give up on you" (see 1 Corinthians 13).  

Relate to your child by the loyal rule of love that covers a multitude of sins.   

Scripture: 

"Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins" (1 Peter 4:7-9).

"…As I have loved you, so you must love one another…" (John 13:34). 

"All my fountains of joy are in you" (Psalm 87:7, the voice).