This past year has left ample opportunities for us all to struggle. Our kids are no exception. And it’s too easy to leave them behind in the wake of this pandemic year (or any trauma), because kids are resilient right? They’ll be fiiine! If that was true, we wouldn’t have so many adults in counselling over their childhoods.
While we will not be perfect parents, we must take our God given responsibilities seriously and care for our kids mental health.
How then do we do this?
1. P R A Y for them and for you to have wisdom and discernment in how you lead them.
1Thess 5:17 says to pray without ceasing, Philippians 4:6 says not to be anxious but to
pray about everything and you will have peace.
2. D I S C I P L E your kids.
Be intentional to talk and listen to them every single day! Showing empathy to their struggles but also correcting wrong thinking with biblical truths.
Teach them the gospel - that good news of Jesus! It will radically impact their lives.
Teach them all of Gods word, how to apply and walk it out, and model Christ centred living.
Trust and pray that the Holy Spirit who loves them, will speak to and transform them
through His living and active word as you faithfully teach it in your home.
However, you cannot do this well if you yourself are not abiding in Christ and in His word.
TIP: We often think our kids know many of the right answers because we have told them, it's not always true, we don't remember everything either. When they share a struggle with you, ask them to tell you a Biblical truth about the situation to let God's word transform their thinking.
3. TEACH them about the sovereignty and character of God. Why does God allow bad
things to happen? Do you as a parent know? If you are a believer in Christ you absolutely
should. Sin runs rampant in this world, that is why bad things happen. But we take heart
knowing Gods character in our trials, “in all things God works for the good of those who
love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (HOPE) Romans 8:28.
Nothing that any of us face is in vain because of the goodness and work of God.
Knowing His character, sustains us through the hardest of times. As they know him, they will
trust Him more, as they trust him they will have more peace.
Discipleship is a process, that does yield fruit, be patient, trust God.
4. R E M I N D them of Gods F A I T H F U L N E S S. Share stories from scripture, like
Joseph, who was sold by his own family. He did not see any of them for 15years, yet we
later see, what man meant for evil, God meant for good because He is faithful to His
children. Share stories from you own life, how has God provided for and sustained you?
Share stories from men and women of history. Reading about the men of the reformation will
certainly cause us to stand in awe of all that God has done to keep His word and the true
gospel alive and thriving.
5. W O R S H I P God with them through every season. The psalms are wonderful examples
of lamenting our cares but not staying there, instead replacing our worries with worship,
fixing our eyes on the author and perfecter of our faith. Though life may be hard “yet I will
rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. GOD, the Lord, is my
strength” - Habakkuk 3:18,19
6. G R A T E F U L N E S S may not come natural to our kids, but it is a virtue we will all
benefit from. “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this
is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16
While we cannot control every outcome for our children, we are simply called to be obedient to Jesus, and lead our kids towards Him. Their story isn’t over no matter how difficult they feel life can be and we can take heart knowing
“That he who began a good work in you (and them) will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”
Philippians 1:6
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