As moms, we hope and work hard to help our children do and be their very best. Very often, it’s how we measure our effectiveness.
But what happens when all our hard work seems useless?
When we’ve been tireless in our encouragement and direction and our kids don’t seem to be one inch closer to success?
Just this week, we’ve both experienced this. And we’ve fought overwhelming feelings of hopelessness and discouragement. All of our feelings of inadequacy and guilt load up our hearts, making them feel heavy. However, that’s not what God desires for us.
It’s during these times that looking to the cross helps us find hope.
Our job is not to be successful for our children. It’s to be obedient to what God has called us to do — and place our hope in Him, because there’s always hope when it’s up to God.
When all seems lost, mom, here are three ways to find hope in Him:
1. Pray specifically for His will – not ours.
A prayer that we both pray over our children is Colossians 1:9-12, substituting our children’s names for “you.” In part, this passage says, “ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might…”
There’s nothing we want for our children that is not covered in this passage.
{You can find a FREE printable of this passage called “A Prayer for My Children” on our blog.}
2. Give Jesus control.
We like control. It makes us feel like we can mold our children and direct their paths. Except that’s not our job. Oops.
Our job is to be obedient to how God tells us to live, to teach our kids about Christ, to give them the tools they need to grow and live out God’s purpose for them. Giving Jesus control of the results isn’t easy. But really, it isn’t surrender. We don’t have control anyway. All we’re doing is acknowledging the sovereignty of the One who does. The result is a new found peace – and often better relationships with our children.
3. Remember that our kids are not finished products.
We think that the shy, socially awkward 12-year-old will never be able to have meaningful friendships. That’s what we do. We project. We leap forward 15 years without considering that the Holy Spirit is working in their lives in ways that we cannot always see. But He is. And that’s another reason we hope in Him. We must remember that our children are children who will grow into adults–and even then they will be a work-in-progress in the hand of our God.
In what area do you need to acknowledge God’s authority over your child’s life?
Where can you post this verse to help you turn it over to Him each day?
Matthew 11:28 ESV
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Awesome verse to pray for our kids! Thanks!
{Melinda} You are so welcome, Sarona! I LOVE that passage!
Thank you so much for this reminder! Just what I needed to hear. 🙂
{Melinda} I’m so glad it was encouraging to you, Tiffany! It’s not easy to keep perspective when we’re having bad days or difficulties with our kids.
Very encouraging! Often I feel responsible for changing my daughters’ behavior. I need to remember that my responsibility is to be obedient to God – praying for them, teaching them God’s truths and trusting God to work in them. Thank you for the reminder that my kids aren’t “finished products.” That the Holy Spirit is working in their lives now and will be in the future.
{Melinda} You are welcome, Sherry … I struggle with feeling responsible for my kids’ behavior and I have to keep turning it over to God and just doing what He’s asked me to do and leave the outcome to Him.