This isn't a movie review of Jennifer Lopez's most recent hit, however there is something incredibly inspiring about a mother who is willing to protect her offspring from the dangers and threats of this world even if it costs her everything.
Most of our kids will never need to learn combat skills, precision rifle fire, or to drive a pick-up when they are only twelve years old, but they do engage in a very real battlefield every day of their lives. The Bible tells us "Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your family of believers all over the world is going through the same kind of suffering you are."-1Peter5:8-10 (NLT)
I'm not a theologian, but I am a mom, and like most moms, would happily give my life to protect my kids. But how do we protect our kids from the devil? How do we navigate in a world that used to be black and white, is currently mostly grey, but is destined to be full of colour and radiance when Jesus returns to this earth, as He has promised to, as King forever and ever?
The Bible says "stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith." Never has the cliche, "easier said than done" been more true! And even though it would take many books to exhaust this teaching, I would like to share three things that can help you to better protect your kids.
-Make your kids spiritual sharpshooters.
They need to learn to detect the enemy accurately, and preferably before he gets too close. The best way for them to do this is if you have helped them understand what the devil wants. And what he wants is their death. Physically and spiritually, he wants to kill them. The Bible refers to Satan as the destroyer, and he is. Everything that God has created and loves, Satan has been working hard to decimate. While God is the giver of Life, physically and spiritually, Satan is trying to steal and kill that life.
I often have this conversation with my kids:
Q."What does Satan want to happen to you in this situation you are struggling with?
A. "He wants me to die and/or to be destroyed, as well as those around me."
Q. "What does God want for you in this?"
A. "He wants to give me abundant life, through Him, and to all those around me."
Practicing to discern our enemy, as well as the desire of our Heavenly Father, is incredibly clarifying.
-Strengthen their faith.
The second thing we can teach our kids to learn to do (and practice as if their lives depended on it, because they quite literally do) is the strengthening of their faith through the discipline of the daily reading of God's Word, the Bible, and meditating (thinking) on it.
The enemy has infiltrated our world a long time ago. The lies he propagates are all around us, and we need to help our kids navigate this minefield.
God knew this and didn't fail us. We have His Word. We only need to pick it up, open it, and start reading. Alternatively, if you have kids who struggle to read, as mine do, download the free YouBible app and you can listen to the whole Bible. If you don't know where to encourage your kids to start reading (or listening), try the book of John in the New Testament. It is always OK for us (and our kids) to ask God to help us understand and give us what we need. God loves to answer when we call on Him for help.
-And that is the third thing: Teach your kids to ask God for help.
Basic pre-school mantra: if you don't know where to go, what to do, or how, ASK FOR HELP.
God loves to help us!
Who knew?
Our kids have learned to ask us for help, and that is good. But there will come a time when we are not with them. Perhaps no one they know or can trust will be near. The time to teach them to ask God for help is now. So they know how to then. God loves your children more than you do. And He is more powerful and able to save than any human agency or SWAT team could ever be. Helping our kids to recognize that God Almighty listens to them and wants to be in relationship with them is the single most life-saving thing you can ever give your children.
May the Lord bless you and give you His strength and His wisdom as you seek to be the best Mom you can be!
The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped….
— Psalm 28:7
Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the LORD, mercy shall compass him about.
— Psalm 32:10
…I have trusted also in the LORD; therefore I shall not slide.
— Psalm 26:1
…For they cried to God in the battle, and he was entreated of them; because they put their trust in him.
— I Chronicles 5:20
…Whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.
— Proverbs 29:25
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