“Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the Lord your God is giving you.” -Deuteronomy 5:16

The above verse isn’t just for little children and teenagers, it applies to people of all ages and backgrounds. Honoring is a form of respect. Today we are yelling at our predecessors for being the reasons we aren’t happy, when in fact it is our own fault. We are blinded to the fact that we make our own happiness. Even if someone does something against you, you can find the good side of the situation.

We need to practice respect in our daily lives. It starts in the home, and we build ourselves on it so that we can function in society. If you didn’t at least act respectful to your boss, you’d surely be fired. Of course there may be some people whose ideas are against your own, but you should be able to respect the fact they are individuals.

God respects us by giving us the ability to choose what path we go down and what steps we take from there and how we take them. We forget to thank Him for that sometimes, which is disrespectful. Can you imagine disrespecting Him? It isn’t usually on purpose, but we disrespect God many times throughout the week. We’ll pass by someone struggling and not give a second glance. Is that right? They’re God’s children too, and we could have been that helping hand that God put in their path while they were suffering.

“Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.. They will be a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck.”

-Proverbs 1:8-9

“Respecting your parents or guardians is the first step; and you can only grow from there. It comes in many different forms throughout our lives. Whether it be smiling back at the checker in line at the grocery when it is apparent they are having a bad day, to respecting the person who is against you in your beliefs and tells you God doesn’t exist. That is a huge smack in the face for Christians, but everyone is entitled to their opinion. “Respectfully” disagree if you find yourself in that situation even; but never let go and let anger or some other negative action or emotion get the best of you.”

And just a few final thoughts on this matter: if you give respect you can expect that some of it be returned. As long as you are respectful there is no need for someone to be disrespectful towards you. Of course, it comes along in life anyway but you are the better for not giving into that bad behavior. So keep in mind that respect is an essential part of functioning in society. As both a “regular” person, and a Christian.