No Parent Can Shield Their Child from Suffering

Parenting often feels like watching your heart navigate the world outside your body. When our children experience pain be it a scraped knee, a broken bone, or a wounded heart our own hearts ache in unison. Despite our deepest desires, we cannot shield them from every hardship. However, we can equip them to find solace and strength in Christ during these challenging times.

The Dual Battle of Parenting

When our children suffer, we engage in a twofold spiritual battle. Firstly, we confront our own doubts and fears emotions like anxiety, despair, and discontentment that arise as we witness their pain. Secondly, we are called to guide our children through their own struggles, helping them navigate feelings of fear and uncertainty. In both arenas, we find hope in the promise that God's grace extends to us and our offspring, as affirmed in Acts 2:39.

Personal Reflections on Suffering

Reflecting on personal experiences, such as raising children with severe health challenges, underscores the profound nature of this journey. While not all parents face such extreme circumstances, the principle remains: our children will encounter trials, and we must be prepared to lead them through.

The Foundation of Trust

Our ability to disciple our children through suffering begins with our own trust in God. Deuteronomy 6:4–6 instructs us to immerse our lives in His word, discussing His teachings throughout our daily routines. By embodying a genuine faith, we provide a living example for our children to emulate. The hymn "’Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus" encapsulates this sentiment Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him! How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er.

Our personal testimonies of God's faithfulness serve as powerful witnesses to our children, demonstrating the reliability of His promises.

God's Promises for Our Children

The assurance that God's promises are for both us and our children (Acts 2:39) reinforces the timeless nature of His covenant. Teaching our children to rely on these promises instills in them a faith akin to that of Abraham, who trusted God's word unwaveringly (Romans 4:20–21). Practical applications include:

• Addressing Anxiety: When children feel anxious, guide them to acknowledge their feelings before God, pray for His assistance, trust in specific scriptural promises, take appropriate action, and express gratitude for His support. This mirrors the APTAT approach: Admit, Pray, Trust, Act, Thank.

Everyday Applications

Integrating scripture into daily life can provide comfort and guidance. For instance:

• Daily Affirmation: Begin each day with Psalm 118:24: "This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." This encourages seeking joy in God's sovereignty rather than in fluctuating circumstances.

• Facing Fears: When confronting fearful situations, such as medical procedures or social challenges, remind children of Joshua 1:9: "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." This reassurance of God's omnipresence provides profound comfort.

• Contemplating Mortality: In discussions about life and death, share Jesus' words in John 11:25–26, emphasizing the promise of eternal life through belief in Christ. Affirming this belief together strengthens faith and offers hope.

Conclusion

While we cannot prevent our children from experiencing suffering, we can guide them to trust in Jesus amidst their trials. By nurturing our own faith and openly sharing it, we prepare our children to navigate life's challenges with a steadfast reliance on Christ.

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