DISCIPLINING IN ANGER – You’ve probably heard child-care experts say that parents should never practice disciplining in anger. Unless you’re a parent who can’t control his anger, I question the merits of this philosophy. Ecclesiastes 8:11 says that, “When the sentence for a crime is not quickly carried out, the hearts of the people are filled with schemes to do wrong.” Kids are the same way.
Being angry might just be God’s way of getting parents to a place where they can carry out what their child needs most at the time. Ephesians 4:26 says, “In your anger do not sin.” When Jesus took a whip and cleansed the temple, I get the impression He was pretty angry; yet, He didn’t sin. This is the kind of controlled anger our kids may actually benefit from. Without yelling or screaming, godly parents can, in controlled anger, exercise effective discipline on behalf of their kids. It’s called righteous indignation.