Reinforce

<<strengthen>>

Joshua was instructed to meditate on God’s Word night and day, so that he would diligently do everything written in it (Josh 1:8). The Lord’s commands were to be impressed on the children by the parents “when you sit...walk...lie down and get up” (Deut 6:7). What is reinforced by diligent repetition or continual exercise becomes strong. God’s repeated message to Joshua was ‘be of good courage’ and he applied it continually until the end of his life (Josh 1:6,7,9; 24:14-23).

“So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have. I want to refresh your memory...” (2 Pet 1:12-15). Repeating any message (be it good and true or bad and false) reinforces that message into our thought patterns and so shapes our lives. A basic principle of teaching is a continual building on and reinforcing of previous instruction or

Feed what you want to grow, starve what you don’t want

information imparted so it is essential to lay and maintain good foundations by regular attention and effort. Ingrained beliefs and attitudes are powerful influences from which habits develop.

It is important to regularly express your love and encouragement in words and actions to family members. Remember you are a role model for them, reinforcing attitudes as well as factual learning.