On many occasions, I’ve talked to parents who feel totally inadequate for the task of raising their children. Parenting seems overwhelming, and as the responsibilities pile up, so does the frustration and feelings of inadequacy.
Have you ever been there yourself? Maybe you’re there right now. The truth is, EVERY parent has felt this way at some point in time or another. And for good reason. I believe that God intended for parenting to stretch our limits, expose our growth points, and shape us more into the image of His Son.
So if you’re a parent feeling like you’re barely keeping your head above water, I’ve got good news for you – You Can Do This! Here’s how I know:
Parents, you can do this, by:
Recognizing that GOD HAS CHOSEN YOU!
The very fact that God has given you your children is proof that He has called you to the task of shaping the heart and future of a human soul. He has not only called you to this but entrusted you with your precious children.
Many parents feel like broken vessels, unable to live up to the high calling of parenthood. But despite those times that you feel like you’re not enough, and that you don’t have what it takes, remember this – because God has chosen you, God will enable you, one day at a time.
2 Corinthians 12:9 My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.
You can do this, by:
Admitting that YOU CAN’T DO THIS!
I became a better parent the day that I realized and admitted that I can’t do this on my own, that I don’t always know what I’m doing, and that I need God’s daily guidance to be the parent that God intends for me to be. Rather than living by the motto of “You’ve got this!”, in reality, it should read, “God’s got this!”.
If you are a Christian, God has given you the power to parent effectively by allowing the same gospel that changed your heart to continually shape and change your approach to parenting. More than you need another list of the top 10 parenting tips, you need the help of the Holy Spirit daily at work within you. Admitting that you don’t have what it takes on your own is an important step to your parenting success.
2 Corinthians 12:10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities… for when I am weak, then am I strong.
You can do this, by:
TRUSTING IN HIM, not you!
The ability to raise children who love and serve Jesus is not something that you or I am capable of doing without the supernatural help and strength of Christ. Because the reality is that (contrary to popular opinion) sometimes God does give us more than we can handle, which causes us to turn to Him. Apart from Him, I can quickly and royally mess things up, but with Him, I can do all things through Christ.
When I learn to pray more than I push and trust more than I try, I begin to realize that with His help, I can do this.
Not because of my impeccable rule-enforcement, but because of His grace. Not because of my personal parenting abilities, but because of His power to produce heart-change in my children through me. Not because I’ve got what it takes, but because He does. I just get to be the agent through which He chooses to work.
Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.
Mom… Dad, Good News, You’ve Got This!
I believe in you. God is on your side. No matter what your family is facing today. You Can Do This!
