Outgrowing the Terrible Twos

“But I want it!” echoes off the walls, the shrill voice cutting through any pretense of peace.

With tears tracking down his cheeks, the red-faced little bundle emphatically makes his demands. A second, firm “No” sends him to the floor, legs and arms flailing.

Any of us with children, have lived through similar tantrums by our 2 and 3 year olds. Although it may take different forms, preschoolers rarely graduate to 4 without having first displayed their selfishness and greed in some boisterous fashion.

In fact, the phrase “terrible twos” was coined to capture the expectancy of the occurrence.

Usually, these fits are not a sign of ineffective parenting but actually a product of our child’s increasing understanding of the world around them—and their desire to make it conform to their will.

Parents are assured their lively little spitfire will grow out of the stage.

Adult Temper Tantrums

But do they, did we? Sadly, adult behavior often mimics that of a preschooler’s demands.

Have you ever driven through rush hour traffic in a large metropolitan area? Or perhaps worse, gone shopping on Black Friday?

Those manic individuals trying to get an inch closer to their destination or fighting their way to that last iPod or the final Wii, closely resemble oversized 2 year olds in their behavior! They leave little doubt: selfishness and greed is alive and well in adults as well.

Desiring the One Thing Denied

The desire to have it all and have it our way is rooted in the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve had access to everything but one. It was that one thing though that meant more to them than any of the others. In fact, the desire for it was so strong, they were willing to give up paradise to attain it.

It is easy to condemn Adam and Eve’s choice, but am I much different from that first couple or from those early morning shoppers? If only one thing was denied me, wouldn’t that be the one I wanted?

If I’m honest, when I look in the mirror, I see Eve reflecting back. I, too, want that which is withheld. I long for the forbidden fruit.

It is in our fallen human nature to choose the temporal—the most, the easy, the glittery. We often discard God’s best for the next.

We often discard God’s best for the next. Share on X

We throw adult-sized temper tantrums when the events of our lives don’t conform to our will.

God’s grace

How glorious, then, that we have a merciful Father! One who, because of our propensity for the one thing, sent a Savior, so that through Him we can outgrow those terrible twos.

Through Him, we will have the strength to accept the “No’s” of this life.

Through Christ, we can have the strength to accept the 'No’s' of this life. Share on X

Through Him, our weaknesses will be covered by grace, allowing us, as followers of Christ, free access to a life in Paradise.

Don’t forget to rest in His grace today.

“For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive” (1 Corinthians 15:45).

Reflections: As an adult, what one thing have you “thrown a temper tantrum” over? How have you outgrown the adult terrible twos?