What Every Discouraged Parent Needs to Remember

Isaiah 1:2 – “Hear O heavens and give ear, O earth, for the Lord has spoken; Children I have reared and brought up but they have rebelled against me.”

Some of us had wonderful fathers. Unfortunately, some of us had terrible fathers. Most of us have had an experience somewhere in between. But the Israelites in Isaiah chapter one had a perfect Father. God did everything right for them. He never punished them in anger, He was always there for them. He was always wise, just, and loving in His responses to them. He raised them right! He provided all that they needed. And yet they rebelled against Him. They forsook Him and even despised Him according to Isaiah 1:4.

As parents that should give us some measure of comfort. I’m sure none of us did everything right in raising our children. Probably the best that could be said for any of us is that we did the best we knew to do. Failure, mistakes, not taking the time with them that they needed, not loving them enough, disciplining them too much, not enough, or doing it in anger—with our fallen natures, that’s who we are. We can’t escape it. But God knows all that and made us with limitations. I’m not excusing my sins and failures, I’m saying none of it surprised God and He has already made a plan to complete the work he started in us and in our families.

Remember, God raised His children perfectly, and His children rebelled, dishonored and disrespected Him…from Adam and Eve all the way up to now. So if you’re seeing things in your family that disappoint or sadden you, then take heart. First of all you can now relate to the pain and sadness we put God through when we have done the same things to Him which, hopefully will draw us closer to Him. Also remember, God knew about and has already planned for our failures, AND He loves our children more than we do. Trust Him even in this. He won’t let us down.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not depend on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5-6