Parental Stress

Much of what we worry about comes from adopting the world's priorities and methods of parenting. You'll always be able to find someone who is doing it a little (or a lot) better on social media. But there is a better way.

God's call to parents is much different than the world's. Ephesians 6:4 says, "Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord."

It's an overwhelming task… if you approach it in your own strength. Instead, trust the One who invented parenting by aligning your methods with His design.

From the time they're born, you're teaching them—how to walk and talk and use the potty. But as essential as all of these things are, the most important thing parents can teach their children is to know God.

Deuteronomy 6:6–7 says God's commands are to "be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise."

Parental discipline is for the eternal good of children's souls. But it's also for the peace of the home: "Discipline your son, and he will give you rest; he will give delight to your heart" (Proverbs 29:17).

It is loving to administer biblical discipline—not in anger, not shaming, not inconsistent, but for the purpose of restoring relationship with the child. "Whoever spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is diligent to discipline him" (Proverbs 13:24).

Christian parents, when you are overwhelmed, look to your Father and ask for His help. He promises to faithfully give us wisdom when we need it (James 1:5).