When my children were learning how to ride a bike I made them wear a helmet, like this one.
Every time I told them to put on their helmet, I heard, “Do I have to?”

“Yes”

“Why?”

“You know why. . .”

“It will protect me if I fall.”

“Do I do it to make you miserable?”

“No.”

“None of the other kids have to. . . . “

I wasn’t trying to be mean. I just wanted my daughters to be safe.

God’s commandments are like the bicycle helmet. They are meant to protect us. Not to be mean, but to keep us safe.