#149: How to Handle Disrespect As A Parent

Joshua Gordon is a son, brother, husband to Sarah, dad to five children, lay pastor, author, and Senior Editor of theleadpastor.com. We're grateful that Joshua agreed to share a dad's response to the challenges of living in an economy of love. In our previous episode (#148), we challenged parents with these questions:  If the kingdom of God is at hand, what's really changed in our homes? If the law is love now, what's different? If I trust the finished work of Jesus for my secure identity, how does that change my relationship with God? How does that change my relationship with myself? And with you? In this episode, Joshua Gordon admits we can be triggered when our children respond to us with an attitude instead of respect. Join us in this priceless and vulnerable conversation about navigating our emotions and personal narratives so that the child and our family benefit from the frustrating interaction instead of allowing it to weaken the relational fabric in our home. In our conversation with Joshua, we found wisdom and help for moving forward when our kids are disrespectful by discovering that many of our children's problems today: The books on our shelves don't have answers because they were written several years ago, and our culture is changing quickly. We can find the answers to these problems in conversations with God and others who rely on God in their own stories. We can also help our children listen to God and receive His help.  Many of our children's problems are really invitations from God to abide with Him because they have roots in our own unresolved issues.  Our children's problems are, in some ways, gifts that require us to ask, "Is my desperation or dependence on Jesus driving my response to this parenting crisis?" Then, we get to talk to God about why we depend on something less than our true identity (and our security with Him) when emotions get messy and problems are real. Visit john15academy.com and sign up for The Curated Life newsletter—your monthly guide to restoring the lost art of being family in your own home. Each edition points to insightful blog posts you might have missed and offers encouragement for your journey. As a subscriber, you'll be the first to know when Janet's Restoring the Lost Art of Being Family Manifesto is published—and you'll get exclusive access to download it for free. You'll also receive early updates about Janet's upcoming e-book, our church curriculum in development, and opportunities to hear Janet speak. The Curated Life will keep you informed whether you want to attend an event or invite Janet to your church or community.   This podcast and our work at John 15 Academy are made possible by generous donors and a supportive community. If you'd like to be part of our financial support team, we'd be honored to have you with us. Together, there is great hope.