Go to war for your kids, not against them.
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War for your kids, not against them! We need to see them as they will be, not as they are. The Bible says the power of life and death is in the tongue. This powerful reminder reminds me to be careful with my words towards my children. When my kids are acting out sometimes, this is the last thing on my mind, but I should be more aware in the hard times to call out the good. Parents continue to call out what is right and good inside of them. No matter what contend for their future.
Too often as fathers, we forget that we help to determine our children’s identity and beliefs about God, others, and themselves.
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Too often as fathers, we forget that we help to determine our children’s identity and beliefs about God, others, and themselves. Many things out of our mouths firmly imprint on our children. We have a tremendous responsibility to speak life over them and speak the good in them that we see. In moments of failure and depression later on in life, the encouraging words of a father can help reestablish the truth about them. Like a compass bringing your children back to true north.
6 Truths to Speak Over Your Kids
1. I love you. Our kids need to know that our love is secure. No matter what our kids have done or will do we love them. Our love will not be based on performance or a particular standard but love that is unchanging and steady. Consequences are real to actions we make, however, lost love is never one of them. “I love you,” must be spoken in your house often.
2. God makes you righteous. Our kids need to know that it is God and God alone that makes us righteous. We all fall short, and we all don’t measure up, but in Christ we do. We will never be perfect, but righteousness is given as a gift when we accept Christ as our savior. Identity in Christ is something that needs to be taught to our kids.
3. I believe in you. Letting our children know that we are for them and not against them is crucial. That they have a deep knowing, they are capable and able to overcome. Sometimes when we are low and don’t believe in ourselves we have to see what others see in us. Knowing that their parents think they are capable gives them the strength to get back up when life knocks them on their backside. Be that physical force that encourages your kids to reach higher in life. Let your kids know you believe in them.
Knowing that their parents think they are capable gives them the strength to get back up when life knocks them on their backside.
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4. God has a plan even when you can’t see it. This world gets murky, and it can be hard to see what God’s plan is in our life. Most of the time following God is like driving through fog. We can only see a few feet in front of us instead of the whole picture. We must move forward believing that sooner or later the fog will lift, and we will be able to see. Until then your kids will need to know to keep moving and taking steps of bold action. Speak the truth that God has a great plan for their life.
5. Everyone is valuable. No one is more valuable than someone else. The great commandment is to love God and to love others. Loving all is only accomplished when we see value in every person. We all have different talents and abilities, but no talent is greater than another. Treat every person as valued and treasured gift. Teach your kids to see everyone through eyes of value and love.
6. God is always with you. God is with you always, not for one second will He leave you. He does not leave you if you pick the wrong path or screw up. He does not depart from you but encourages you to go deeper in a relationship with Him. The Word says that we will experience heartache and walk through the valley of the shadow of death but that God will be with us. No matter how bad it looks, God is always walking it out with you. Let your kids know to look to Jesus when times get hard and lean into Him.
The job of a parent never ends no matter if your kids are young or adults we must speak light and truth into them. In a world that drags and pulls you down, we need to be that encouraging force that draws them back to Jesus. He makes them able. He makes them beautiful. He makes them worthy. He is everything they and we could ever need. Keep saying these six truths until hearing becomes knowing. Be blessed on your journey as you parent well.
What are you speaking over your kids?
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This post originally appeared on ZechariahNewman.com.
Photo: Getty
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