How Can Parents Not Worry For Their Children?

By Josephine

We often wish others peace and hope for peace ourselves too. Think for a moment – does our stress come from things that we feel worried about and are not at peace with? As parents, we worry for our children when they are away from home and may be suffering. Yet, Jesus has already assured us about suffering: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

Jesus Has Overcome the Sufferings of Our World

Jesus reassured us that He has already overcome our sufferings in this world, so at least half of our worries, about ourselves, have been resolved – we only need to make sure the children have Christ when they meet suffering. Sadly, most parents would still feel worried about whether their children would choose the path that they think is good, right, or proven.

Since the days of the ancients, we have been able to see further by standing on the shoulders of giants who came before us. If you still find old examples from the distant past hard to trust, let us take a look at some testimonies from more recent times:

A Modern Testimony

Born in 1982, Nick Vujicic was an Australian author of Serbian lineage, and was also an evangelist. He was born with Tetra-amelia syndrome, which meant he did not have any limbs from birth. His father once shared his worries about Nick: 1. That he couldn’t move about on his own, 2. He might not be able to get married, and 3. He may not have any children. His worries were later proved to be unfounded – Nick was more than capable of getting himself around and could even swim and skateboard. He eventually got married and had 4 healthy children.

As Nick once contemplated suicide, his father wrote that parents must: 1. Maintain open communication with the children and participate in their life, 2. Stay alert and be open to seeking professional help if needed, and 3. Not dismiss the fears and hopelessness of the children and pay attention to their inner cries for help.

The Experience of the Patriarchs

Clearly, most parents won’t be able to look after their children for life like Nick’s father. The Bible recorded that as Moses grew old, he handed his mission over to Joshua to lead the Israelites into Canaan. Every parent wants their kids to become successful and happy. Who then could the children depend on when their parents are gone?

Joshua had been following and taking care of Moses and succeeded him in leading the Israelite people. Joshua did not inherit an easy job, for even Moses had to constantly deal with the complaints and accusations of the people, let alone the young Joshua? Moses would shoulder most of the burden when he was still around, but after he passed on, Joshua had to do so alone. Little surprise that Moses had to keep reassuring and encouraging Joshua that the Lord would be with him. Joshua trusted Moses and claimed God’s promise to successfully fulfill the mission of leading the Israelites into the land of Canaan.

The Promised Land

The Promised Land is: 1. An abundant land watched over by God Himself (Deuteronomy 11:10-12), 2. The land of victory (Deuteronomy 7:1), 3. The land of rest, with cities, houses, wells, vineyards, and olive gardens for all to enjoy (Deuteronomy 6:10-11), 4. A blessing we can receive in this life, which God had prepared for us through the Lord Jesus Christ, 5. A life of abundance (John 10:10), 6. True peace that is available to all who believe Christ (Hebrews 4:3), and 7. The promise of God (2 Corinthians 1:20).

God’s promises are sure to be fulfilled, for He is a faithful God and never goes back on His word.