Faith in Parenting

Lamentations 2:19 says:

“Arise, cry out in the night,
at the beginning of the watches!
Pour our your heart like water
before the presence of the Lord!
Lift your hands to him
for the lives of your children,
who faint for hunger
at the head of every street.”

I encourage you today to “pour out your heart like water” to the Lord on behalf of your children. They may not be facing physical hunger this very moment (although given the way my son’s lunch box keeps returning to me more full than empty, it’s possible that he might be hungry), but we know that our kids do face real and untold dangers every day.

So let’s take that direction from God’s Word literally.

You know, as a mom, it can be easy to be overwhelmed by the seen and unseen dangers our kids face. We can even begin to worry excessively about their welfare, as though imagining worst-case scenarios ahead of time could somehow protect them.

But the Lord is faithful! In Philippians 4:6-7, His Word assures us:

“Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

What does that mean for us today?

• Have no anxiety about your child’s developing friendships, but take it to the Lord in prayer.
• Have no anxiety about whether your child will do the right thing, but take it to the Lord in prayer.
• Have no anxiety about your child’s health, but take it to the Lord in prayer.
• Have no anxiety about your child’s heartache, but take it to the Lord in prayer.

Friend, by encouraging you to “have no anxiety,” I’m not suggesting that you shouldn’t be concerned or that your fears aren’t valid. They are, and this Word is not encouraging us to turn a blind eye to the danger and heartache our children face.

But the Lord is good, and He will be faithful when we come to Him with these needs on behalf of our children. Incredibly, almost unbelievably, He loves them even more than we do. So let’s be faithful and take our concerns to the Lord in prayer this day.