Building Your Kids’ Faith in the Face of Uncertainty
How do we build our kids’ faith in the face of uncertainty? What do we say when we can’t promise them everything will be okay?
As far back as I can remember I’ve had this honesty complex. Even those little, white lies that are supposed to be the cordial thing to do are very hard for me. I always tell people……if you don’t really want to know, don’t look me in the eye and ask me a direct question because however I truly feel will come out. This conflict of mine has definitely been the source of some awkward moments over the years.
Everything Will Be Okay
This phrase has always bothered me. I cringe when I hear others say it because, let’s face it. None of us knows what a day will bring.
When it’s comes to my kids, I can’t do it. I just can’t look my worried or scared baby in the eye and tell him or her that everything will be okay when I know there is always a chance it won’t….at least not in the way we define okay.
This world is a mess, and terrible things happen everyday. This is why I don’t watch the news.
So what do you say? How do you comfort? What if I tell them all will be fine, and then someone gets hurt? The hurricane does destroy our home. That loved one doesn’t recover. Dare I run the risk of my kids ending up angry or scared or worse yet, not able to trust me in the event things don’t go well?
How about you? Have you ever promised your worried child that everything will be ok and then desperately prayed, “Lord, please let it!” It’s like saying, “God, I know you are in control and have a plan, but could you please make everything work out the way I want because I just promised my kids that you would?”
Yes, God promised to always be with us, but He also never hid the fact that trouble will come. (John 16:33) We can’t just roll the dice on hoping no trouble will come until our kids are at least teenagers and we can leave dealing with faith issues to them (and the youth pastor!).
I remember well a time when these thoughts were weighing especially heavy on my mommy heart.
How do we reconcile protecting our kids’ emotions/feelings and prepping their faith?
In 2014, prior to our relocation from the DC area to Florida’s Space Coast, Tim was traveling 6 days a week for about 8 months. Obviously, this involved a lot of flying. Mikaela, then four, was becoming increasingly worried about his safety.
I wanted to say, “Don’t worry, Sweetie. God will keep Daddy safe.” But what if? Then God spoke to my heart. “Focus on my love. Teach her that no matter what, I am love!”
I have learned that my own doubts can be traced back to a lack of understanding of His love for me. We must teach our kids about God’s great love for them. If we teach them that all will be okay. That God will not let anything bad happen to them. We set them up for a major crisis of faith when the promised troubles comes.
Instead, let’s camp on God’s great love for us. Giving our kids a foundational truth to fall on regardless of what happens in life. Teaching them to give any fears to God, but also to know John 16:33. “In this world you will have trouble, but take heart! I have overcome the world.” Teach them first and foremost of His great love, so that, come what may, the power of that truth will be their strength when nothing else makes sense.
His Love Never Fails
Though everything around them may crumble, still they will be able to stand in the power and love of their great God. (Psalm 46:1-2; Isaiah 54:10) If they know nothing else, knowing God loves them will give them the ability to face whatever comes with a firm foundation and a place to turn.
God never said there will be no troubles, but He did say He will never leave them. They may find themselves in the fiery furnace, but introduce them to the God who will be right there by their side! (Daniel 3)
Give your kids a faith that says, “Whether or not He delivers me, I know His love never leaves me.” While they need to know God is able and there is nothing too hard for Him, don’t build their faith on what He can do for them, but rather on what He has already done – so greatly displayed and lavished His great love upon us. (Romans 5:8; 1 John 3:1)
An understanding of His love means we can face each day with confidence. We can know that, come what may, His love never fails or changes. Our God is the same yesterday, today, and forever and, “God is love!” (Hebrews 13:8; 1 John 4:8)
I hope you found this post encouraging and helpful. You may also like, “From Sunday to Everyday: Raising Kids Who Truly Love the Lord”
And as always, any shares are greatly appreciated! Thanks, mama. You got this!
