Before we get to the
answers, here are some additional Questions:
1. What percentage of
the 18 characteristics did you at one time or the other exhibit in
your past childhood? A few, many, most?
2. What percentage of
the 18 characteristics did your siblings at one time or the other
exhibit in their past childhood? A few, many, most?
3. What percentage of
the 18 characteristics did your childhood friends at one time or
the other exhibit in their past childhood? A few, many, most?
My point is this - If you are like most of us,
you likely answered each question with a high percentage (50% or above).
The symptoms of ADD/ADHD are as common as growing up. We have all
exhibited these behaviors growing up to some degree or another. Our parents knew we were not
sick and that this was no disease. They knew we didn't need drugs to
address they problems. They knew we needed loving discipline and
training to
correct these normal but bad characteristics.
I'm guessing your dad like
mine sought to follow the instruction in Eph.6:3 which commanded them to
"bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord." Our psychological "experts" think
they know the nature of man better than our loving heavenly Father and how
to better solve mans problems than the one who created man. What
arrogance!
So, let's see how
many of these characteristics are addressed by common sense, the training
and disciplining our children to think of others first, obey their parents
and those in authority over them, and the Word of God.
For if God's word addresses
these characteristics, then ADD/ADHD is not a sickness or a psychological
issue, but a moral and spiritual condition and best addressed by the
proper application of Gods Word.
Remember, God has granted to
us EVERYTHING we need to live a life that is pleasing to Him. II
Pet.1:3 says "Seeing His divine power has granted to us EVERYTHING
pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who
called us."
HERE IS THE KEY:
By teaching, training and disciplining our children to follow the
example of the life of Christ (which can ultimately only be truly
accomplished in the power of the Holy Spirit), these symptoms will be
resolved.
For example; would Christ
fail to give close attention to details or make careless mistakes in
schoolwork or other activities? Would Christ have difficulty
sustaining attention in tasks or play activities? Would Christ not
seem to listen when spoken? Would he fail to follow instructions?
Would He be unorganized, reluctant to think, easily distracted or
forgetful, disobedient, display inappropriate behavior, talk excessively,
interrupting others, impatient and selfish?
Jesus Christ (our example)
was thoughtful of others, disciplined in body and mind, obedient to His
elders, in control of His tongue, never lazy or impatient and was focused
on the most important things even at an early age, etc, etc. (See
Lk.2:46-52 when at age 12 Jesus was "both listening to them [the teachers]
and asking them questions.")
Look at these symptoms and
see if the life of Christ applies to most all of them.
Remember, "We do not have a
high priest (Jesus Christ) who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but
one who has been tempted in ALL things as we are, yet without sin.
Let us therefore draw near with confidence to the throne of grace that we
may receive mercy and may find grace to help in time of need."
(Heb.4:15-16)
Ok, so let me propose to you
God's remedy for these childhood problems.
1. Often fails to give close attention to details or makes
careless mistakes in schoolwork, work, or other activities.
* Could this symptom be the
result of carelessness or laziness and not doing your best at all times?
Col.3:23 "Whatever you do your work heartily as unto the Lord."
2.
Often has difficulty sustaining attention in tasks or play activities.
* Could this be the result
of an undisciplined mind that has not been trained to focus on a task
until it is finished.
3.
Often does not seem to listen when spoken.
*
Could this be the result of not being trained from an early age to listen
to others and show love and respect to another person? Most every
child left to their own selfish desires will eventually seek to gain
attention to them self by speaking to dominate the conversation instead of
listening to others without interrupting. James 1:19 says "Let
everyone be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger."
4.
Often does not follow through on instructions and fails to finish
schoolwork, chores, or duties in the work place (not due to oppositional
behavior or failure to understand instructions).
* Could this be the result
of not being trained to obey completely the instructions of those in
authority over them? Eph.6:1 "Children obey your parents in the
Lord, for this is right."
5.
Often has difficulty organizing tasks and activities.
* Could this be that the
child has
not be taught and trained on how to discipline their time and their mind
to be organized and get things done on time?
6.
Often avoids, dislikes or is reluctant to engage in
tasks that require sustained mental effort.
* Could it be that this
child hasn't been trained from an early age to discipline themselves to
focus and finish a task through to it's completion? Or maybe, they
are just lazy and have never been trained on how to apply themselves and
say no to their desires for the quick and easy path.
7.
Often loses things necessary for tasks or activities
(e.g. toys, school assignments, pencil, books or other tools.)
* Again, could it be that
this child hasn't been trained to take care of their school supplies so
they can finish a task? Have they been allowed to be
careless, or forgetful? We all know growing up that one of the
easiest ways to try to get out of doing a homework assignment for example,
was to "forget" the necessary tools to do the homework. If we forgot
to bring home our books to do that homework assignment, we thought we
could get away with not having to do the assignment. WRONG!
8.
Is often distracted by extraneous stimuli.
* Could it be that this
child has
not be trained by his or her parents to focus on their work until finished
and develop concentration skills?
9.
Is often forgetful
in daily activities.
* Has the child been trained to remember
important things or have they been allowed to develop a lazy mind and
attitude. I think most of us growing up were disciplined when we
"forgot" one of our daily activities. We usually didn't "forget" it
a second time, or surely not a third time. I know in my case, my
parents made sure of that.
10.
Often fidgets with hands or feet, or
squirms in his seat.
*
Could this be the common childhood symptom for an undisciplined mind and
body which the loving parent could quickly remedy by training the child to
sit quietly so as not to interrupt others for periods of time? Or
could it be that the child just hasn't had enough "burn the energy off"
time, so they could more easily sit quietly? Boys especially need
more time to burn off all their energy. Are they provided the time
to do this every day?
11.
Often leaves his seat in the classroom or in
other situations in which remaining seated is expected.
* Could it be that the child
has not be taught or trained to obey the teacher in this or other areas?
Eph 6:1 says; children are to "honor their Father and Mother."
Training children to obey those in authority over them would be a
demonstration of this honor for their parents and their wishes.
12.
Often runs about or climbs excessively in
situations in which it is inappropriate.
13.
Often has difficulty playing or engaging in leisure activities
quietly.
* Could it be there has been
a lack of parental training for this child so that they know where it is
appropriate to run and play and where it is not? Has this child be
trained by their parents on how to play in different situations where
sometimes they have to play more quietly and sometimes they can yell and
scream?
14.
Is often "on the go" or often acts as if a motor drives him.
* There is nothing abnormal
for most younger children and especially boys to have this type of energy.
Again, could it be that the child just hasn't had enough "burn the energy
off" time, so they could more easily sit quietly? Boys especially
need more time to burn off all their energy. Are they provided the
time to do this every day?
15.
Often talks excessively.
* Has the child been trained
to listen first and to control their tongue? Major portions of
Proverbs and James speak about necessity of controlling the tongue.
Have the parents taught and trained their children on these truths?
16.
Often blurts out answers before questions have been
completed.
* Has the child been taught
and trained to be patient and show respect for others by waiting until
someone is finished talking before answering?
17. Often has difficulty
awaiting his turn.
18.
Often interrupts or intrudes on others.
* Has the child be taught
and trained to put others first and to wait their turn, even if it is
last? All humans and their children are by nature impatient.
Only as we train them to put others first, can we expect some measure of
victory over this common symptom. Phil.2:3 says "Do nothing from
selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you
regard on another as more important than himself." Remember,
patience is one part of the fruit of the Spirit in Gal.5:22. Only
through the power of the Holy Spirit can someone truly be patient like
Christ was.
So, do these common symptoms
we've just examined look like our children need drugs for the remedy, or
the loving discipline and training from parents that love the Lord and are
seeking to apply the principles of the scriptures to their children in
every way?
God's way is the best.
Please send me any and all questions or comments by
clicking this link. I truly appreciate hearing from you. Thanks again for your time.
He must increase, I must
decrease.
Victor Storkel
Please feel free to print this
article in it's entirely, without any additions or deletions.
Look for future articles
on these and many other topics!
Home * Article
Index