When Your Child Is Disappointed

It is SO hard for me as a mom, to sit by and watch my children get their hearts crushed. I can barely stand it.  It often seems so unfair and I don’t understand or see the purpose in their pain. Of course as their mom, I try to offer them wise advice. I try to use a Bible character or someone in a movie to use as an example for them of how they can overcome or deal with it in grace, class, and integrity.

But it still hurts.

It hurts them. And it hurts me. For when they hurt – I hurt.

I was recently battling with just such an issue. Something really unfair was happening to one of my children. And it wasn’t new. It was as if this same battle had been waged before. Just in a different dose or on a different level. I knew that I was trying to see things in fair eyes and not be close-minded just because it was happening to MY child. No. I truly felt like I was seeing things through an accurate lense.

And I didn’t understand.

It’s hard to help our children understand when we as the parent don’t understand.

Then God reminded me how Satan is out to “Steal, Kill, and Destroy.” And that that includes my children. In fact, because of how special my children are to me – that might ESPECIALLY include my children! And when I see something beautiful blossoming from a child’s heart that I know God can use? Extra target on their back.

It began to occur to me that this battle continued to be waged not because of something I might be overlooking, but because Satan was doing his darndest to discourage, frustrate, steal, kill, and destroy something that was important to my child. Not only that, he wanted to destroy the character my child had developed and turn it into bitterness.

That made it a whole new ballgame for me.

Sometimes I can simply be mad at people.  And sometimes I can realize it’s not people at all. They are simply instruments. And it’s Satan whom I should direct my energy at. I should arm up for battle on behalf of the child whom God entrusted to me.

That’s where I stand right now. Battle ready.

Tears are still in my heart and throat. I still hurt for what my child  has gone through – unfairly. But life is unfair. And even though my child may end up bearing some scars, I’m going to see to it that my prayers and my faith shield her from becoming a victim that cannot recover or that is overcome all together.

Satan will not have my children. God will protect, shield, and fight for them…because I’ve asked him to.

“They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you, declares the Lord. “  Jeremiah 1:19