Those of you who are parents know how terrible it is to see your child in pain and not be able to fix it. There’s no easy way around it. Heartache is pain. I know from my own life experiences that heartache makes you wiser and stronger. However, that’s little comfort to the hurting soul walking through the darkness.
But as parents, we must be able to discern when to comfort and when to step back and let God take care of them. God will give us that discernment if we ask for it. It’s important that we don’t take God’s place in their lives. That would be detrimental to their own walk with God.
This season of life has made me think about what I want to hand down to my children. Lessons I want to give them that will last a lifetime. Here is a list of those life lessons I want them to know.
1. God has a purpose for each of our lives.
If we lean into God for direction and comfort, He will guide us. Before the beginning of the world, He designated a certain path for us to take. It’s up to us to listen to His voice in our lives.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11
2. In the darkness, He is still working good.
No matter what we are going through and how alone we feel, He is always there and He is always working things for our good.
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28
3. When God guides, you will always have joy and hope — even amidst pain and suffering.
God gives us joy for our mourning. Even when we are dealing with sadness, He can calm our hearts with His peace.
” …in all our troubles my joy knows no bounds.” 2 Corinthians 7:4
4. Pain is inevitable. It’s how you deal with that pain that determines how you live your life.
When we turn to God in our dark times, we will get comforted as only He can comfort us. But first, we need to know He is always there! When we turn to the world in our dark times, we get led down a deceiving path to more darkness.
“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
5. Never, never, never allow someone to become “your everything.”
You are setting yourself up for disappointment every time and you are doing an injustice to yourself and that other person. Who can fill the shoes of Jesus? No one but Jesus Christ Himself. Look to Jesus only to fill you with joy and peace. The “happy” that the world sells us is short lived and dependent on things that will not last. When we look to Jesus for our “joy” we will never be disappointed.
“Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal comfort and a wonderful hope, comfort you and strengthen you in every good thing you do and say.” 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
6. Jesus is Love.
Without Jesus, we can never truly experience all that love has to offer in our lives. That includes loving ourselves and loving others.
“And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.” 1 John 4:16
7. God’s promise for each of us is that He will never leave us nor forsake us.
And God doesn’t break promises. He answers His promises with a Yes and Amen. His promises are truths to firmly stand on even when the rest of the world is shaking around our feet.
“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” Deuteronomy 31:8
8. Life is precious and a gift.
When you have the Holy Spirit dwelling inside of you, it’s the most awesome feeling you will ever experience in this lifetime. You know that you are not alone. As Joyce Meyer says, “you know that you know that you know.”
“The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.” Romans 8:16
9. God’s love for each of us is unconditional!
No strings attached. No trying to measure up and falling short. No worries of rejection — ever. He loves us as we are right now. And that will NEVER change.
“Now I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39
10. A loving, bright, life-filled eternity is ONLY offered through the love and grace and mercy of Jesus Christ.
Don’t question the gift. Don’t doubt the gift. Just grab that gift and make it the very cornerstone of your life.
For in Scripture it says: “See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” 1 Peter 2:6
God honors our prayers.
As parents, it is our job to pray for our children. God hears our cries. As members of the Body of Christ, it is so important for us to stand together united for all of our children. Let’s commit to one another to pray for each others’ children. Visit my post for a special prayer for our children.
Blessings and love to each of you.
