Have you ever thought of the elderly as boring or too old to understand how life has changed in the 21st century?
It is not surprising that a lot of people today turn to social media to find answers to their problems.
Most of the time, the responses we receive come from those who are still struggling with their traumas.
However, they offer online answers to problems they are currently trying to solve.
A lack of respect for elderly people and a refusal to heed their counsel is one of the reasons many families, relationships, and our society are in disarray.
A traditional African proverb states that “What an adult sees from a chair cannot be seen by a child, even if he climbs the tallest of trees.”
Why should we respect elders?
First, courtesy demands that we show them our respect. Not just because they are older, but also because they have lived longer than we have and have invaluable life experiences.
It brings to mind the narrative of Samuel and Eli, the priest. God still had to go via Eli when He wished to speak to him through Samuel.
If God had wanted to tell Samuel everything about Eli up front, he would have. By permitting Samuel to return to Eli and learn from him how to discern the voice of God,
God was able to teach him how to treat the old with kindness and respect. 1 Samuel 3:1-20
How Do we show respect For elders?
The first step is to avoid calling seniors by their first names. Unless you get their permission. Respect for the elderly is almost becoming extinct in our society.
Social media apps, in my opinion, should use the Mr, Mrs, or Miss pronouns when addressing users, regardless of their age.
It is not morally correct to refer to people by their first names simply because everyone else does. One way to respect the elderly is by doing this.
1. Learn how to Show Honor
We must not wait for people to be perfect before showing them respect. Even though your grandparents may annoy you, you won’t want to be treated poorly when you’re their age.
Being tech-savvy isn’t the same as being wise. The fact that we are able to use search engines does not make us superior to those who are unable to.
There are some life questions that only the elderly, not artificial intelligence, can answer.
2. Developing good listening skills
Have you ever found yourself interrupting someone in the middle of a discussion just to get your point across? That isn’t the definition of active listening.
The elderly can detect when you’re just trying to take advantage of them for your own gain, and they can also tell when you’re in need.
Maintaining eye contact as they speak and carefully listening can help you figure out what questions to ask and when to ask them.
3. Stop looking for perfection-
Many people still retain grudges against their parents or grandparents for what they did. My desire is that God grants us the ability to accept the things we cannot change.
The reality is that we have no control over other people’s behavior, but we do have power over how we respond to them.
With patience and prayer, things can only get better. How long has it been since you prayed for your parents? You may not realize what you have until it is taken away.
Learn how to forgive someone who hurt you emotionally
4. Check your circle of friends-
It’s time to make a change if all of your pals are constantly whining about their parents and all that appears to be wrong with their family.
It’ll only be a matter of time before you join them. Surround yourself with positive people who will tell you when you’re wrong.
5. Respect is reciprocal
We are sometimes the cause of our parents’ dissatisfaction. We can’t expect our parents to trust or appreciate us if we always have a negative attitude regarding everything.
Yes, their method may be incorrect, but we have a choice in how we respond. We cannot expect our parents to trust us if we make lying or throwing tantrums a habit.
Even if you have apologized, pray about it and give it time for your parents to get over it.
Is it important to respect the elderly?
One of the many reasons why older people should be treated with respect is that they can act as mentors. The good news is that mentors exist in any field we decide to excel in.
The importance of mentorship cannot be overstated. A mentor can help you avoid the rat race.
Some people simply seek shortcuts to everything, which is why mentorship does not appear to be working for them.
How do you show respect to elderly parents?
There are different ways to treat the elderly with love and respect.
1. Use your words kindly-
Regardless of what their parents have done, they deserve our respect and forgiveness. Just as we complain about how annoying other people are, newsflash! Other people consider us annoying as well.
Even if your parents are divorced, you should draw closer to God rather than take sides, because our identity is rooted in him, not in our history or our present circumstances.
Disrespecting them with your remarks simply demonstrates your immaturity or childishness. It’s only a matter of time before you reap the consequences.
2. Pray for your parents-
We have no idea how much longer we have with our loved ones.
Family spiritual bonding is aided by prayer. A family that prays together, after all, stays together.
Issues may emerge that we are unable to resolve, Only by having a connection with God will we be able to accomplish this.
How to Build A Relationship with God
3. Communicate with your parents-
If we don’t express ourselves properly, we can’t presume our parents are difficult.
Any argument could be avoided if a better method of communication was used, accompanied by respect.
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Proverbs 15:1 NIV
4. Never compare your parents to others-
The thief of joy is comparison. Your bond with your parents is one-of-a-kind.
Trying to persuade your parents to behave like other parents or give you the same amount of money as your pals would be futile.
