Battling the fears of Parenthood
Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."
Barbara Rainey says there are two encouragements form this scripture.
1. “As Parents we will feel fear, dismay and discouragement when we are faced with difficult situations in life where we are called to do something risky or take a stand.”
2. God tells us we can be courageous because He is with us, in all situations in life. He is with us in the difficult situations at home, at school or the hospital emergency. No matter how big or small he wants us to know “I am with you” therefore you can be courageous.
Acquiring courage to battle anxieties in the everyday life of motherhood
1. Trusting God knows what He is doing. He is in control.
Psalm 33: 8 – 11 Let all the earth fear the Lord;let all the people of the world revere him.9 For he spoke, and it came to be;he commanded, and it stood firm.10 The Lord foils the plans of the nations;he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.11 But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever,the purposes of his heart through all generations.
2. Standing firm on the truth of His word and remembering that he gave us these children to care for and He longs to give us the guidance we need in everything we do.
James 1 :5 – 6 But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind .
3. Praying for God's guidance and strength in the decisions we are making for our family regarding emotional, physical and spiritual health.
Philippians 4: 6 -7 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Maintaining an Atmosphere of Grace by Dr Tim Kimmel
Grace is an atmosphere known for its joy, its redemptive attitude and its confidence in God's power.
Creating a graced based atmosphere happens when we give our children four freedoms.
Grace - based parents give their children the freedom to be different.
Synonyms for different – weird, bizarre, goofy,
Difference: Behaviour or mannerisms that don't necessarily blend well with our personalities or tastes.
Often we don't extend grace because our child's differences embarrass or annoy us.
When we are annoyed, it is easy to assume what they are doing is wrong, instead of different.
Although parents have the responsibility to establish family rules and standards for their children, they must temper these with the child's unique personality.
Grace - based parents give their children the freedom to be vulnerable.
Children should not be required to wear a mask over their feelings or emotions.
Homes need to be havens where children can let their fears and inadequacies show without fear of them being attacked.
As parents we can encourage our children to be vulnerable by showing respect for their feelings.
Grace - based parents give their children the freedom to be candid.
We need to make it easy for our children to voice the things that are troubling their heart. ( Everything from fears to faith)
We need to make sure that our children have an outlet for their frustrations. They know they will be heard.
If our children voice a frustration, they must voice it respectfully
Children are more inclined to respectfully voice their frustration when they have grown up seeing parents respectfully voice their frustrations.
Grace – based parents give their children the freedom to make mistakes.
Home should be a place where:
- disappointments are endured,
- moral setbacks are properly processed,
- a child's sinful actions never mean the end of our relationship with them.
This does not mean we do not discipline - The highest form of grace for children who make mistakes are correction, discipline, and consequences.
Hebrews 12 10- 11 Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
We recognize that when our children are the hardest to love, that's when they need love the most.
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