Parenting - A journey of faith

As we continue navigating this role of parent, our daily need for God's mercy, grace and wisdom becomes more and more apparent. It is a tough gig, and we have only been doing it for 14 years! Sometimes I want to give up and return to my corporate life.

We need to be constantly reminding ourselves that this fight is not against flesh and blood, and that Jesus is LORD. He will have the final say.

Remembering daily, that as parents it is crucial that we stand firm, knowing that unity commands a blessing and daily declaring in faith that the fruit of the Holy Spirit is outworking in every member of our family. Faith. Holy Spirit. Let Go.

And as hard as it is, we need to be reminding ourselves that it is good to wait on the Lord, and in faith, trust that He is working all things together for good.

Here are the scriptures relating to these thoughts. Their truth encourages me and reminds me that God is with us, every moment on this journey of parenthood.

God's mercies are new every morning.

But this I recall and therefore have I hope and expectation: It is because of the Lord’s mercy and loving-kindness that we are not consumed, because His [tender] compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great and abundant is Your stability and faithfulness.  Lamentations 3:21-23 AMP

God's grace is sufficient for us.

But He said to me, My grace (My favour and lovingkindness and mercy) is enough for you [sufficient against any danger and enables you to bear trouble manfully]; for My strength and power are made perfect (fulfilled and completed) and show themselves most effective in [your] weakness. Therefore, I will all the more gladly glory in my weaknesses and infirmities, that the strength and power of Christ (the Messiah) may rest (yes, may pitch a tent over and dwell) upon me! 2 Corinthians 12:9 AMP

His wisdom on how to parent is freely available to us.

For wherever there is jealousy (envy) and contention (rivalry and selfish ambition), there will also be confusion (unrest, disharmony, rebellion) and all sorts of evil and vile practices. But the wisdom from above is first of all pure (undefiled); then it is peace-loving, courteous (considerate, gentle). [It is willing to] yield to reason, full of compassion and good fruits; it is wholehearted and straightforward, impartial and unfeigned (free from doubts, wavering, and insincerity). James 3:16-17 AMP

Our fight is not against flesh and blood.

For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.  Therefore put on God’s complete armor, that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day [of danger],and, having done all [the crisis demands], to stand [firmly in your place]. Ephesians 6:12-13 AMP

Jesus is Lord. He has the victory.

Even as it is written, For thy sake we are put to death all the day long; we are regarded and counted as sheep for the slaughter. Yet amid all these things we are more than conquerors and gain a surpassing victory through Him Who loved us. For I am persuaded beyond doubt (am sure) that neither death nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things impending and threatening nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:36-39

Unity commands a blessing

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the beard, the beard of Aaron, running down on the edge of his garments. It is like the dew of Hermon, descending upon the mountains of Zion; for there the LORD commanded a blessing - life forever more. Psalm 133:1-3 NKJV

Declaration in faith that the fruit of the Spirit is outworking in every member of this family

But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness, gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence), Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23

Remember it is good to wait on the Lord.

The Lord is my portion or share, says my living being (my inner self); therefore I will hope in Him and wait expectantly for Him.  The Lord is good to those who wait hopefully and expectantly for Him, to those who seek Him [inquire of and for Him and require Him by right of necessity and on the authority of God’s word]. It is good that one should hope in and wait quietly for the salvation (the safety and ease) of the Lord. Lamentations 3: 24-26 AMP

And have faith in the unseen.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 NKJV

Trusting that He is working all things together for good...

And we know that all things work together for those who love God and are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 NKJV

To finish, a prayer we can pray for ourselves and our families, thanking God in faith and expectation for what He will do ...

Thank you Jesus that you will help me keep my focus on You today, despite what is happening in my family. Thank you for your salvation for every member of this family. Thank you for your protection over this family. Thank you for restoration and blessing. Thank you for the fruit of the Spirit to be evidenced in each of us. Thank you that you have a plan and a purpose for each member of this family and that it is good. Please help me to assist your plans, not hinder them. Thank you that you are faithful and that your word does not return void. Thank you that we will stand firm, In Jesus Name, Amen.